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

Dishes of caviar and foie gras were served alongside a pour from a 50-year-old wine. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025

Dishes will include caviar service with roti; Escovitch crab claws with pickled onion and carrot; and snapper with guacamole and tostones. —Connie Ogle august 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025

Deviled eggs topped with shallot, bread crumbs, chive, smoked roe and caviar. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2025

During the two-hour sail, the guests will enjoy sweeping views of New York landmarks while indulging in caviar, fresh seafood and sushi curated by The Mark Restaurant’s renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Caviar Kaspia at the Mark. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 30 July 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