caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar ˈka-vē-ˌär 

also ˈkä-

variants or less commonly caviare

1

: processed salted roe of large fish (such as sturgeon)

2

: something considered too delicate or lofty for mass appreciation

—usually used in the phrase caviar to the general

3

: something considered the best of its kind

Did you know?

The eggs, or roe, of sturgeon are called caviar. Preserved with salt, caviar is usually eaten as an appetizer. Most true caviar is produced in Russia and Iran, from fish taken from the Caspian and Black seas. The best grade, beluga, is prepared from large black or gray eggs; fresh beluga caviar is relatively scarce and thus expensive. Lesser grades are from smaller, denser eggs. In the U.S., the roe of salmon, whitefish, lumpfish, and paddlefish is sometimes sold under the name caviar.

Examples of caviar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a press release, the kit comes with a 1-ounce tin of McNugget Caviar, a $25 McDonald’s gift card, crème fraîche and a mother-of-pearl caviar spoon. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026

Then, America began exporting caviar to Europe, causing prices to skyrocket because the production boom made sturgeon scarce and caviar rare. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026

Tsar Nicoulai Caviar’s lasting legacy The renowned caviar and fish producer is once again receiving its flowers from the Good Food Foundation in 2026. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The menu includes nine cocktails and elevated bites, from oxtail empanadas to tater tots topped with Ossetra caviar, crème fraîche and chives. —Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier cavery, caviarie, from obsolete Italian caviari, plural of caviaro, from Turkish havyar

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caviar

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar
• isobar

Kids Definition

caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar

variants also caviare

ˈkav-ē-ˌär 

also ˈkäv-

: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer