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

Save up to $180 across the line of mixers, and go forth on your sourdough journey with confidence. —Lizzy Briskin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025

The topping is a nutty, crunchy, salty, delicious mix of pecans, sourdough bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, butter, and salt. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025

The perfect pasta twirl, the soft collapse of cake, the crunch when cutting into a loaf of sourdough—these are the moments when the right silverware really earns its place at the table. —Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025

Warm slices of sourdough bread, a bed of mashed potatoes, or a scoop of rice would all be terrific teammates—as would the rest of that bottle of wine. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Nov. 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