ferment

verb fer·ment \ (ˌ)fər-ˈment \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of ferment

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo fermentation

The wine ferments in oak barrels.

2 : to be in a state of agitation or intense activity

everything ferments in him—his thoughts, sensations, and memories; nothing stays quiet
—Janet Flanner

transitive verb

1 : to cause to undergo fermentation

Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.

2 : to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment

—

fermentable

play \(ˌ)fər-ˈmen-tə-bəl\ adjective

See ferment defined for English-language learners

See ferment defined for kids

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

The wine ferments in oak barrels.
Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.

Recent Examples of ferment from the Web

In principle, Chang says, the two condiments are the same thing: fermented cabbage.

— luke darby, GQ, "David Chang Talks Junk Snacks, Kimchi, and the Subtle Racism Behind What We Eat," 3 May 2018
The variation included Flightless, a tidy and simple citrus-forward pale ale; The Juice Is Loose, a fruity double IPA that’s among Transient’s most popular beers; and an earthy IPA fermented in oak.

— josh noel, chicagotribune.com, "Transient Artisan Ales the star in southwest Michigan's best little beer town," 26 Apr. 2018
Elliott says, detailing ingredients like a sugarcane derivative that acts as a humectant, and fermented polysaccharides that pack in the water.

— laura regensdorf, Vogue, "The One Facial You Need Just Landed in New York City—By Way of Japan," 23 Apr. 2018
The flavors are further heightened by a ladleful of fumet made with fish heads, chives, onions, mushrooms, fish sauce, shiso, dashi, and a funky-spicy fermented condiment called yuzu kosho.

— joe ray, WIRED, "A Young Chicago Chef Pursues Wood-Fired Perfection," 17 Apr. 2018
While the kitchen served them and their guests, ranks of campesinos grew crops, tended cattle, and fermented pulque on the surrounding land.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "The Hunt for Mexico’s Heirloom Beans," 17 Apr. 2018
Specifically, naturally fermented vegetables, which is what pickled Pig makes.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Pickled Pig to open deli in Walnut Hills," 17 Apr. 2018
The major difference between types of beer comes down to the type of yeast used to ferment it.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "How to Talk About Beer Like a Pro on National Beer Day," 7 Apr. 2018
Nobody can deny the power of this famously tart fermented liquid.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "WATCH: Experts Are Urging People Not to Drink Straight Apple Cider Vinegar," 7 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of ferment

see ²ferment

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

ferment Synonyms

Synonyms

abet, brew, foment, incite, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up);

Near Antonyms

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame;

allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize);

detonate, set, set off, trigger;

excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse;

activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize;

Phrases

set in motion;

ferment

noun fer·ment \ ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈment \

Definition of ferment

1 a : a living organism (such as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes

b : enzyme

2 a : a state of unrest : agitation

b : a process of active often disorderly development

the great period of creative ferment in literature
—William Barrett

See ferment defined for English-language learners

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

The city was in a state of ferment after the election.
the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the airborne invasion that was sure to come

Recent Examples of ferment from the Web

Many of Betts’ farmhouse beers depend on wild yeast to ferment, particularly Brettanomyces, which lives on the skin of fruits.

— josh noel, chicagotribune.com, "Transient Artisan Ales the star in southwest Michigan's best little beer town," 26 Apr. 2018
The chef does his own butchering, smokes his own fish, and ferments, pickles, and preserves everything the restaurant can’t serve fresh.

— patricia harris and david lyon, BostonGlobe.com, "Beyond the falls: the delicious tastes of Niagara," 25 Apr. 2018
Liptauer cheese dip Quick version: Mix milk and cream with dairy starter, and ferment for a couple of days.

— ali bouzari, San Francisco Chronicle, "Housemade: The silent science behind three signature dishes at Duna," 12 Apr. 2018
The Fiddy-Foedee ferment is part of a broader struggle among tax professionals to come up with common names and terms for new provisions in last year’s tax overhaul.

— theo francis, WSJ, "Taxes Are Hard—So Is Pronouncing New Tax Law Acronyms Like FDII," 12 Apr. 2018
Ales are created through top fermentation, a process in which yeast ferments at warmer temperatures and settles at the top of the beer.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "How to Talk About Beer Like a Pro on National Beer Day," 7 Apr. 2018
At times, Dangerous Mystic has a Name of the Rose excitement to it, a man against the grain during a time of ferment, a mind that sought to rise above it.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "'Dangerous Mystic': A true, gripping tale of a man's perilous search for God," 6 Apr. 2018
All leaven, a substance that causes grain products to ferment, is forbidden during Passover, according to Exodus.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "What is Passover? Here are some facts about the biblical holiday," 30 Mar. 2018
Meer says she is well stocked with a variety of ferments, including vegan and gluten free coconut kefirs, krauts, kombucha, kvass, snacks, ketogenic cookies, body products and other items.

— steve edwards, Anchorage Daily News, "Fresh halibut is headed to Anchorage! And fresh Alaska chicken eggs, too.," 28 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of ferment

Middle English, from Latin fermentum yeast — more at barm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ferment Synonyms

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

FERMENT Defined for English Language Learners

ferment

verb

Definition of ferment for English Language Learners

: to go through a chemical change that results in the production of alcohol

ferment

noun

Definition of ferment for English Language Learners

: a situation in which there is much excitement and confusion caused by change

FERMENT Defined for Kids

ferment

verb fer·ment \ fər-ˈment \

Definition of ferment for Students

fermented; fermenting

: to go through a chemical change that results in the production of alcohol

ferment

noun fer·ment \ ˈfər-ˌment \

Definition of ferment for Students

1 : something (as yeast) that causes fermentation

2 : an excited state

Methuselah was in a ferment of eagerness …
—Brian Jacques, Redwall

Medical Dictionary

ferment

intransitive verb fer·ment \ (ˌ)fər-ˈment \

medical Definition of ferment

: to undergo fermentation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo fermentation

—

fermentable

play \-ə-bəl\ adjective

ferment

noun fer·ment \ ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ \

medical Definition of ferment

1 a : a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes

b : enzyme

2 : fermentation

Learn More about ferment

See words that rhyme with ferment Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ferment Spanish Central: Translation of ferment Nglish: Translation of ferment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ferment for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ferment? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

ferment

Definition of ferment

fermentable

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ferment from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ferment

ferment Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

ferment

Definition of ferment

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ferment from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ferment

ferment Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Biochemistry Terms

FERMENT Defined for English Language Learners

ferment

Definition of ferment for English Language Learners

ferment

Definition of ferment for English Language Learners

FERMENT Defined for Kids

ferment

Definition of ferment for Students

ferment

Definition of ferment for Students

Medical Dictionary

ferment

medical Definition of ferment

fermentable

ferment

medical Definition of ferment

Learn More about ferment

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word