whey

[ wey, hwey ]

noun

1. a milk serum, separating as liquid from the curd after coagulation, as in cheesemaking.

whey

/ weɪ /

noun

1. the watery liquid that separates from the curd when the milk is clotted, as in making cheese

Derived Forms

• ˈwheyey, adjective

Other Words From

• whey·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whey¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English whei(e), whai(e), wei, Old English hwæg, hwæig, hwǣg, hweg; cognate with Dutch, Low German wei

Word History and Origins

Origin of whey¹

Old English hwǣg; related to Middle Low German wei, heie, Dutch hui

Example Sentences

But whey remains one of the largest sources of food loss and waste in Australia's large dairy sector.

From Salon

We found cheesemakers knew what waste whey could be used for but were put off by practical challenges.

From Salon

You can already buy whey products such as fermented drinks and protein powders.

From Salon

Infant formula may contain the highly valuable lactoferrin, which would be usually left in whey.

From Salon

Our research found over half of our cheesemakers were using multiple methods to reduce whey going to waste, from making animal feed to making ricotta to irrigating paddocks.

From Salon