# wheat

/ˈhwit/ (US) · /wˈiːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wheat
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the cereal grain

noun · CEFR B1

a plant or its seeds used to make flour for bread and other foods.

For teachers: the grain of a cereal grass used as a primary source of flour for baking and food production.

- The farmer spent the whole week harvesting the wheat in the big field.
- Global wheat prices fluctuated significantly following reports of a severe drought affecting the major growing regions in the Midwest.

Usage: uncountable when referring to the crop or the grain in bulk; countable when referring to specific botanical varieties.

### 2. wheat bread

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a shorter way to say 'wheat bread' or 'whole wheat bread'.

For teachers: an elliptical reference to bread made from wheat flour, specifically whole-wheat or brown bread in American English.

- I would like a turkey sandwich on wheat, please.
- The deli offers a choice of sourdough, rye, or wheat for all their signature sandwiches.

### 3. the colour

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

having a light, yellowish-brown colour like ripe grain.

For teachers: denoting a pale, brownish-yellow colour resembling the hue of ripened wheat stalks.

- She chose a wheat-coloured carpet to match the natural wood furniture.
- The interior designer recommended a wheat palette for the upholstery to maintain a warm, organic atmosphere in the living area.

## Examples

- The farmer harvests the wheat in late summer.
- Vast fields of golden wheat stretch across the plains, waiting for the harvest season to begin.
- Global trade in wheat remains a critical component of food security, as fluctuations in crop yields can lead to significant price volatility in the international commodities market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.