ferment

1 of 2

verb

fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment 

fermented; fermenting; ferments

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

(ˌ)fər-ˈmen-tə-bəl 

adjective

ferment

2 of 2

noun

fer·​ment ˈfər-ˌment 

also

(ˌ)fər-ˈment 

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

Synonyms of ferment

Verb

• provoke
• raise
• promote

Noun

• turmoil
• fermentation
• unrest

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

Verb

The wine ferments in oak barrels.

Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.

Noun

The city was in a state of ferment after the election.

the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

They are sometimes confused with each other as both are made by fermenting cow’s milk, but there are actually substantial differences between the two, from consistency to flavour to nutritional value. —Ana Gándara, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2026

As the post-industrial age marched on, some dairy companies began using standardized bacterial starter cultures to ferment large quantities of milk quickly and economically. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026

Noun

The brand is best known for its hanbang approach, often spotlighting ingredients used in Korea for generations—especially ginseng, which Sulwhasoo carefully processes and ferments for hundreds of hours to help bring out its skin-revitalizing benefits. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026

Bacteria added to ferment milk and produce Greek yogurt provide probiotics. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Latin fermentum yeast — more at barm

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ferment

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

ferment

1 of 2 verb

fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment 

1

: to undergo or cause to undergo fermentation

2

: to be or cause to be in a state of unrest or excitement

fermentable

-ˈment-ə-bəl 

adjective

fermenter noun

ferment

2 of 2 noun

fer·​ment ˈfər-ˌment 

1

: an agent (as a yeast) that is capable of causing fermentation

2

: a state of unrest or excitement

Medical Definition

ferment

1 of 2 intransitive verb

fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment 

: to undergo fermentation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo fermentation

fermentable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

ferment

2 of 2 noun

fer·​ment

ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ

1

a

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

b

: enzyme

2

: fermentation