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dairy

n. · adj.
US //ˈdɛɹi// UK //dˈeəɹi// dairy
  1. 1 milk products (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    foods that are made from milk, such as cheese, cream, and butter.

    a collective term for food products derived from the milk of mammals, typically cattle.

    Example

    I have decided to stop eating dairy to see if it helps my skin.

    Example

    The nutritionist recommended a diet rich in calcium but suggested sourcing it from leafy greens rather than traditional dairy.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable when referring to the food group.
    • dairy products
    • milk products
  2. 2 a milk farm or factory (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a place where milk is kept or made into butter and cheese.

    a commercial establishment for the harvesting and processing of animal milk for human consumption.

    Example

    The local dairy provides fresh milk to the entire village every morning.

    Example

    Modern dairies utilise automated milking systems to increase efficiency and maintain high hygiene standards across the herd.
    • creamery
    • milking shed
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  1. 3 a corner store (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Dialect

    a small local shop that sells food and everyday items.

    a small convenience store or minimart.

    Example

    I'm just going down to the dairy to buy a newspaper and some milk.

    Example

    In New Zealand, the local dairy serves as a vital community hub for residents needing quick supplies outside of supermarket hours.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is specific to New Zealand English; in other regions, people say 'corner shop' or 'convenience store'.
    • corner store
    • minimart
    • convenience store
  2. 4 made from milk (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    used to describe things made from or related to milk.

    relating to or denoting products made from milk or the industry of milk production.

    Example

    You can find the butter in the dairy section of the supermarket.

    Example

    The farmer invested in new dairy equipment to ensure the milk remained at a constant temperature during transport.
  3. 5 breasts (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Vulgar

    a slang word for a woman's breasts.

    a vulgar slang term for human breasts.

    Example

    The movie contained some crude jokes about a woman's dairy.

    Example

    The script was criticised for its reliance on vulgar metaphors, including the use of 'dairy' to objectify female characters.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a highly informal and often offensive term; learners should be aware of it but avoid using it.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English deyerie (“dairy, dairy farm”), from Anglo-Norman deyerie (“dairy”), from deye (“dairymaid”) + -erie (“-ery”); by surface analysis, dey (“dairymaid”) + -ry. Cognate with Scots dery, dyrie.

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