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

The restaurant, which began selling its pizza via Instagram, is best known for cold-fermenting its dough for more than three days to give the crust a sourdough flavor. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026

There are five sandwich choices, all made on airy sourdough focaccia. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026

Pastries like passion-fruit malasadas and chocolate-babka pistachio swirls benefit from her sourdough starter, still alive and bubbling after a decade-plus of traveling. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

Baking the perfect sourdough loaf takes time, patience, and an understanding of the science behind the process. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 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