Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of dark, steamed bread: A bread made from a mixture of cornmeal, wheat flour, and other ingredients like molasses, soda, and milk or water, typically associated with New England or Irish cuisine.
   • Bread made with whole wheat flour: A bread where a significant portion or all of the flour used is whole wheat flour, giving it a brown color and a denser texture compared to white bread.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • For breakfast, she had a slice of brown bread with butter.
  • The recipe for traditional Boston brown bread includes molasses and raisins.
  • He switched to eating brown bread because it's more nutritious.

Advanced Usage

• "Brown bread" as a health-conscious choice: Often used to indicate a healthier, more natural alternative to refined white bread.
  • Many nutritionists recommend choosing brown bread for its higher fiber content.

Variants and Related Words

• Whole wheat bread (n): A common synonym for the second meaning of brown bread, specifically bread made from whole wheat flour.
• Wholemeal bread (n): A term used, particularly in British English, equivalent to whole wheat bread.
• Pumpernickel (n): A type of dense, dark rye bread, sometimes confused with or categorized under broader brown bread terms.

Synonyms

• Whole wheat bread: For the meaning concerning flour type.
• Dark bread: A more general term that can encompass various types of bread with a brown color.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "brown bread" can refer to two distinct types:
  • A specific, often steamed, loaf with a recipe including molasses (common in certain regional cuisines).
  • A general category for any bread made with whole grain flour, primarily whole wheat, leading to its brown hue. Context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.

Noun

1. dark steamed bread made of cornmeal wheat and flour with molasses and soda and milk or water
2. bread made with whole wheat flour