sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(-ə)r-ˌdō 

sense 1 is also -ˈdō

1

: a leaven consisting of dough in which fermentation is active

2

[from the use of sourdough for making bread in prospectors' camps] : a veteran inhabitant and especially an old-time prospector of Alaska or northwestern Canada

Examples of sourdough in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From her home state, Jalisco, there will be goat birria and tortas ahogadas, sandwiches typically made on sourdough bread, filled with shredded pork, refried beans and onions, and submerged in sauce. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Everything is made with her homemade sourdough starter. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

Benu became the city's first restaurant to earn three Michelin stars, and Boudin Sourdough serves up clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls on Fisherman's Wharf. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026

Highlights include the sourdough crafted by award-winning baker Frederic Lalos, the foie gras course featuring a seafoam complemented with a macadamia nut caramel, and scallops served with XO sauce that is bursting with umami flavor. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sourdough

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(ə)r-ˌdō 

1

: a dough in which fermentation is active and which is used to start fermentation in other dough (as in making bread)

2

: an old-time prospector in Alaska or northwestern Canada