Butter is a type of dairy spread.
Butter is a dairy product containing up to 80 % butterfat ( in commercial products ) which is solid when chilled and at room temperature in some regions and liquid when warmed . It is generally used as a spread on plain or toasted bread products and a condiment on cooked vegetables , as well as in cooking , such as baking , sauce making , and pan frying . A spread is a food that is literally spread , generally with a knife , onto food products such as bread and crackers . Common spreads include dairy spreads ( such as cheeses , creams , and butters -- although the term butter is broadly applied to many spreads ) , honey , plant-derived spreads ( such as jams , jellies , and hummus ) , yeast spreads ( such as vegemite and marmite ) , and meat-based spreads ( such as pâté ) .