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

Inspired by Arctic landscapes, the pristine white Bar Maria is set to be another city hang-out, serving Champagne (many by the glass) and caviar soundtracked by a grand piano. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

Steak is at the forefront of the menu with many different cuts and traditional steakhouse experiences like a raw bar for oysters and a caviar experience. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026

San Francisco’s Le Fantastique (and its delicate caviar eclairs) shuttered back in 2023, and now chef Robbie Wilson is taking his culinary prowess to Music City. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026

About 30 pounds of caviar was served throughout the night. —Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

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