caviar

noun

cav·i·ar | \ˈka-vē-ˌär also ˈkä-

variants: or less commonly caviare

Definition of caviar

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? Example Sentences Learn More about caviar

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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

Creative, adventurous, calling-to-the-classics, with executions that range from high-low (caviar and tater tots, and a bernaise-bursting burger) to mainly high (escargot-stuffed marrow bone and local clams stuffed with deviled crab). — Stephanie Burt, Condé Nast Traveler, "28 Best Restaurants in Charleston," 2 May 2018 So far the results of my egg inquiry could be distilled as (1) fat, (2) caviar. — Tamar Adler, Vogue, "Why Pastured Eggs Are the Perfect Food," 13 Sep. 2018 The hottest new cars are also on display, alongside champagne and caviar. — Harper's BAZAAR, "Inside the Playground of the Super Rich You Never Knew Existed," 6 Sep. 2018 But the real beauties are some of the more inventive dishes, like the Spanish octopus with marcona almond romesco and Basque pepper, or the neptune johnnycake smeared with honey butter, Boston smoked bluefish, and sturgeon caviar. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, "18 Best Restaurants in Boston," 16 July 2018 But life with money is not all Champagne and caviar. — Paul Sullivan, New York Times, "Balancing the Benefit and the Burden of Wealth," 8 June 2018 Pair your caviar with potato chips and crème fraîche for an easy-breezy affair. — Madeleine Luckel, Vogue, "A Champagne Lover’s Guide to Hosting a Last-Minute Bastille Day Soirée," 13 July 2018 Customers can add caviar to their omelets for an extra fee. — Joyce Smith, kansascity, "Iconic Savoy restaurant aims for 'throwback' feel with fun, like blue cotton candy," 30 June 2018 Kentucky fishermen have quietly made caviar for decades. — Louisville Courier Journal, The Courier-Journal, "5 things to know Friday: Crackdown on docs, Kentucky caviar and downtown construction," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caviar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.