Pronunciation: [wˈiːt] (IPA) 
The word "wheat" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /wiːt/. It begins with the sound /w/, which is a voiced labio-velar approximant. The following sound is the long vowel /iː/, which is pronounced with a high front tongue position. The word ends with the voiceless alveolar fricative /t/. The spelling of "wheat" is consistent with English phonetics, with each letter representing a distinct phoneme in the word's pronunciation.
Wheat is a noun that refers to a cereal grain widely cultivated for its edible seeds, which are commonly used in the production of flour for various culinary purposes. It belongs to the genus Triticum and is a staple food in many regions across the world.
The plant itself is characterized by tall, slender stalks with elongated leaves and distinctive flower heads called spikes or ears. The wheat grain, also known as a kernel, consists of three essential parts: the bran, endosperm, and germ. The bran is the outer protective layer, which is rich in fiber and contains important nutrients. The endosperm is the largest part, primarily comprising starch, while the germ is the small, nutrient-dense core.
Wheat is highly versatile and can be used in a multitude of products, including bread, pasta, cereals, pastries, and even fermentation for alcoholic beverages such as beer. Different varieties of wheat exist, including common wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum wheat, and spelt, each with distinct characteristics and preferred uses. Wheat cultivation is typically associated with temperate climates, and it requires adequate rainfall or irrigation for optimal growth.
Historically, wheat has played a crucial role in human civilization as one of the earliest crops cultivated by ancient civilizations, contributing to the development of settled farming communities and the advancement of agriculture. Today, wheat remains a vital part of global food production, serving as a dietary staple for billions of people worldwide.
The grain from which the flour is manufactured of which bread is chiefly made; also the plant.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "wheat" has its origin in Old English as "hwǣte" and can be traced back to Proto-Germanic "hwētaz". This Proto-Germanic word is further derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "ḱweh₁d-", meaning "to shake, scatter". The word "wheat" ultimately refers to the plant's characteristic ability to scatter or shake off its husks during threshing, which separates the grain from the chaff.
