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

Slot length and depth For eaters of round- or wide-loaf breads, such as sourdough, consider a toaster with extra-long slots or extra-deep ones so that the entire surface area of your bread is toasted and not just a portion of it. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

Their beignets are made with a sourdough base, giving them a distinctive texture that sets them apart. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026

Lastly, no trip to San Fran is complete without sampling some sourdough—both Josey Baker Bread and Boudin Bakery make some of the best in town. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026

The sourdough bread was toasted enough to house all of the ingredients without getting soggy, but also without being so rough on the roof of your mouth. —Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 May 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