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

The music producer celebrated his bachelor party with friends at Resorts World in Las Vegas, posting images on his Instagram Stories of fancy dinners out with the Vegas skyline in the back, along with lounging at a spa, eating caviar. —Marina Watts, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Inside the suite, guests were treated to unlimited caviar served by an Emirates flight attendant—just like in their ultra-luxe first class—alongside Moet Champagne paired with canapés. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025

Guests enjoyed cocktails crafted with Anisimova and Keys in mind, a martini-and-caviar station, interactive ping pong, and the debut of the LALO Clubhouse, which will remain open at The Thompson through September 7, when the tennis extravaganza wraps up its New York residency. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Dishes of caviar and foie gras were served alongside a pour from a 50-year-old wine. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 10 Aug. 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