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

Slices of crusty sourdough are essential for mopping up every last drop. —Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Stroll the waterfront where sea lions bask, and sourdough simmers. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Oh, and the hotel’s ensuite bakery does the softest, flakiest sourdough croissants in town. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

In the spring of 2018, Sageman-Furnas began a computer search for a special type of surface — one that could be transformed into a Bonnet pair, akin to how a sourdough starter acts as a base for whipping up different kinds of bread. —Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 20 Jan. 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