sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(-ə)r-ˌdō How to pronounce sourdough (audio)
 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 Ethiopian food is eaten entirely with your hands on a spongy, circular sourdough bread called injera, which serves as the base for spiced stews, meats, and vegetables. Belle Bakst, Allure, 12 Mar. 2024 Even after years of perfecting his sourdough — his phone will corroborate the fact he’s been working on it since 2014, inspired by a bakery in New York City’s Chelsea Market — Brazón wasn’t quite prepared for the onslaught of customers both before and after the pandemic shutdown. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Now that the homemade sourdough trend has abated, this new cookbook could reignite bread bakers’ appetite! Sylvie Bigar, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 But how can a sourdough starter really be from 1847? Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2024 Griffith, who was born in 1919, first learned to use the sourdough starter at age 10 while setting up a homestead in southeastern Oregon. Denver Post, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 See more club penguin ice fishing theme song - julie on the internet #greenscreen #sourdough #sourdoughbread #sourdoughs ... Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024 Fans can buy dehydrated packets of her sourdough starter — the starter is named Willa — for $18. Madison Malone Kircher Bridget Bennett, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 Mado has developed a following for its flaky, buttery croissants, savory breads like sourdough with Swiss cheese, bacon, rosemary and onions, delectable macarons and authentic patisserie made from butter, flour and chocolate from France. Jenny Hartley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sourdough.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sourdough was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sourdough

Cite this Entry

“Sourdough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sourdough. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sourdough

noun
sour·​dough ˈsau̇(ə)r-ˌdō How to pronounce sourdough (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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