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

Often, that might mean elevated takes on dishes this native Brazilian grew up eating (and always, there’s the option of adding on goodies like caviar or foie gras). —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025

Want your butler to deliver caviar with all the trimmings? —Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025

The main menu includes sliders, salads, caviar and an artisan charcuterie and cheese board, while the happy hour menu is focused on appetizers such as french fries and crab cakes. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025

Plus, a stay in the suite includes even more luxe touches, such as in-suite caviar service, a welcome bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne and Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac, and daily canapés. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 11 June 2025

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