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

Consider the house made bread with wheatgrass butter—slathered on a piece of seeded sourdough that is as pillowy as a down comforter. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Eat Well Modern safari kitchens are a culinary delight—from fresh sourdough baked at dawn and garden herbs, to five-course meals paired with decadent South African vintages. —Karin Jones, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025

Baking, such as archipelago bread and sourdough, also helps define Turku’s food scene. —AFAR Media, 2 Sep. 2025

The ridged, multi-layered sourdough crisps come in Asiago & Cheddar and Melting Romano flavors. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025

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