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
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet –– which focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, healthy fish and extra-virgin olive oil, with smaller portions of eggs, dairy and poultry –– has been linked to significant increases in lifespan.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, other whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
—Christina Manian, Health, 1 May 2026
Friday, May 1, Cheese Omelet, turkey sausage, diced potatoes, whole grain roll, fresh orange, milk.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Experts say the findings are preliminary and do not justify avoiding fruits, vegetables, or whole grains.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2026
Key sources of fiber, both soluble and insoluble, include seeds, beans, lentils, whole grains and vegetables.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
This can mean eating more fiber-rich foods, such as beans, lentils, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Young lung cancer patients ate more servings of dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains compared to the average U.S. adult, the researchers found.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The concern about health effects may have gained momentum this week, when research from USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center suggested that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains actually put nonsmoking Americans under the age of 50 at greater risk of developing lung cancer.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026
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Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, other whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
—Christina Manian, Health, 1 May 2026
Friday, May 1, Cheese Omelet, turkey sausage, diced potatoes, whole grain roll, fresh orange, milk.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Experts say the findings are preliminary and do not justify avoiding fruits, vegetables, or whole grains.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2026
Key sources of fiber, both soluble and insoluble, include seeds, beans, lentils, whole grains and vegetables.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
This can mean eating more fiber-rich foods, such as beans, lentils, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Young lung cancer patients ate more servings of dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains compared to the average U.S. adult, the researchers found.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The concern about health effects may have gained momentum this week, when research from USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center suggested that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains actually put nonsmoking Americans under the age of 50 at greater risk of developing lung cancer.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whole grain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20grain. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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