whole grain
noun
plural whole grains
: an unmilled grain (such as wheat, rice, or barley) having its bran, germ, and endosperm intact
Start with a whole grain, such as brown rice, millet, or whole wheat.—
Cynthia Lair
Cynthia LairFill half your plate with a variety of vegetables and fruit. Add 20 to 30 grams of protein as well as carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, beans and whole grains.—Emily Marrison
Emily Marrison
also
: a grain that has been ground or processed but not hulled or refined
Processed whole grains are whole grains that have been cracked (as in cracked wheat bread), rolled (as in rolled oat cereal), crushed or ground (as in whole-wheat flour and bulgur) or extruded (as in whole-wheat pasta). They provide the same nutrients found in the original kernel of grain. —Anastasia Schepers
Anastasia Schepers Whole-grain flours have a more complex taste and create a heartier texture than refined white flours because they include the bran and germ. —Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times Examples of whole grain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples include garlic, onions, bananas, apples, oats, asparagus, leeks, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, beans, chia seeds, flax seeds, whole grains, chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Foods rich in prebiotics include garlic, onions, bananas, oats, apples, asparagus, beans, flax seeds, chia seeds and whole grains.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Friday, May 15, Birthday Lunch, Oven Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, whole grain bread, peaches, cake, milk.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Fiber – a type of carb that our bodies are unable to digest – is prevalent in foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and beans.
—Rebecca Ramirez, NPR, 13 May 2026
Whole Grain Pasta Whole wheat pasta, made from 100% whole grain or whole wheat, is another good option for anyone looking to manage their blood sugar.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Pair chicken and rice with fruits and vegetables, and include a variety of protein sources, whole grains, and healthy fats throughout the week.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 12 May 2026
Advertisement Start preparing days in advance A few days before your procedure, switch to what’s called a low-residue diet—one free of high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, and raw vegetables—which will help minimize the amount of undigested food that lingers in your colon.
—Holly Burns, Time, 6 May 2026
In other words, a can of soda — even one with fiber in it — isn’t going to undo a diet that lacks vegetables, whole grains and other natural fiber sources.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
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Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Foods rich in prebiotics include garlic, onions, bananas, oats, apples, asparagus, beans, flax seeds, chia seeds and whole grains.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Friday, May 15, Birthday Lunch, Oven Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, whole grain bread, peaches, cake, milk.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Fiber – a type of carb that our bodies are unable to digest – is prevalent in foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and beans.
—Rebecca Ramirez, NPR, 13 May 2026
Whole Grain Pasta Whole wheat pasta, made from 100% whole grain or whole wheat, is another good option for anyone looking to manage their blood sugar.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Pair chicken and rice with fruits and vegetables, and include a variety of protein sources, whole grains, and healthy fats throughout the week.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 12 May 2026
Advertisement Start preparing days in advance A few days before your procedure, switch to what’s called a low-residue diet—one free of high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, and raw vegetables—which will help minimize the amount of undigested food that lingers in your colon.
—Holly Burns, Time, 6 May 2026
In other words, a can of soda — even one with fiber in it — isn’t going to undo a diet that lacks vegetables, whole grains and other natural fiber sources.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whole grain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20grain. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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