dairy

[ dair-ee ]

noun

plural dairies

1. an establishment, as a room, building, or buildings, where milk and cream are kept and butter and cheese are made.
2. a shop or company that sells milk, butter, etc.
3. the business of a dairy farm, concerned with the production and treatment of milk and cream and the manufacture of butter and cheese.
4. dairy farm.
5. milk, or products made from or containing milk; dairy products, as butter and cheese:

   He avoids red meat, processed foods, and dairy in his diet.

6. (in Jewish dietary law) foods, including all milk products, eggs, fish, vegetables, etc., that may be eaten at a meal in which milk is served, in contrast to meat and meat products, which may not.

adjective

1. of or relating to a dairy or a dairy farm.
2. relating to or for milk, cream, butter, cheese, etc.:

   dairy products; the dairy case at a supermarket.

3. (in Jewish dietary law) of or relating to dairy, in contrast to meat and meat products.

dairy

/ ˈdɛərɪ /

noun

1. a company that supplies milk and milk products
2. 1. a shop that sells provisions, esp milk and milk products
   2. a shop that remains open outside normal trading hours
3. a room or building where milk and cream are stored or made into butter and cheese
4. 1. modifier of or relating to the production of milk and milk products

      dairy cattle

   2. ( in combination )

      a dairymaid

      a dairyman

5. 1. food containing milk or milk products

      she can't eat dairy

   2. ( as modifier )

      dairy produce

Word History and Origins

Origin of dairy¹

1250–1300; Middle English daierie, equivalent to daie, deie dairymaid ( Old English dǣge bread maker; cognate with Old Norse deigja; lady ) + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of dairy¹

C13 daierie, from Old English dǣge servant girl, one who kneads bread; see dough , lady

Example Sentences

Beijing retaliated by slapping 125% tariffs on American goods, including California nuts and dairy products.

From Los Angeles Times

I like adding a splash of dairy — cream, half-and-half or even buttermilk — to soften the cream cheese and create a silkier texture.

From Salon

Bird flu is also spreading beyond poultry, affecting dairy cows, house cats, wild birds, and even seals, disrupting ecosystems.

From Salon

Trump has claimed that Canada charges US farmers a 270% tariff on their dairy products.

From BBC

Environmentalists are celebrating a legal settlement that will close historic family dairies they say are degrading Point Reyes National Seashore.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dairy farm