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

If buying bread specifically for croutons, think of the loaf as the first seasoning decision—sourdough brings acidity, ciabatta brings crunch, brioche brings richness, and each will behave differently in the pan. —Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026

Consider that between the 1830s and 1850s, hundreds of thousands of German immigrants settled in places like New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Missouri, bringing with them a taste for dark sourdough breads, lager beer, sausages, and a delicatessen tradition. —Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026

Now, order a cheese plate and Fonseca’s sourdough accompanies it, a hobby turned side hustle. —Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

This item has mayo, turkey, fresh sprouts, cranberry sauce, and cream cheese on sourdough. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 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