chowder

1 of 2

verb

chow·​der ˈchau̇-dər 

chowdered; chowdering; chowders

transitive verb

: to make chowder of

chowder

2 of 2

noun

: a soup or stew of seafood (such as clams or fish) usually made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork, onions, and other vegetables (such as potatoes)

also : a soup resembling chowder

corn chowder

Examples of chowder in a Sentence

Noun

a bowl of clam chowder

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Time your visit with the annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival to sample lobster rolls, chowder, clams, and oysters as the city’s foliage hits its peak. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

The clam chowder is perfectly balanced and not at all clumpy or overly thickened, and the lobster roll is one of the best in all of Boston. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026

Half-and-half also works well in quiche and other egg bakes, chowders, panades for meatballs or meatloaf, and custardy desserts like our Caramelized Banana Pudding and panna cotta. — Alyse Whitney, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026

The dish is spicy enough and not so thick with cream or flour and is a standout in the clam chowder world, according to Times reader Mary Ann Mollenkamp. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French chaudière kettle, contents of a kettle, from Late Latin caldaria — more at cauldron

First Known Use

Verb

1732, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1751, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chowder

• Manhattan clam chowder

Rhymes for chowder

• crowder
• louder
• prouder
• gunpowder

Kids Definition

chowder

noun

chow·​der

ˈchau̇d-ər

: a soup or stew made of seafood with potatoes and onions and milk or tomatoes

also : a soup similar to chowder

corn chowder