ferment

verb fer·ment \ (ˌ)fər-ˈment \

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

The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Lotion contains pure fermented green tea extract and lemon seed oil, which is the perfect anti-bacterial weapon to fight breakouts.

— courtney brunson, Allure, "Water Is the Essence of Wetness and Also of These Innovative Moisturizers," 11 July 2017
Miso, a traditionally Japanese ingredient, is fermented soybean paste that acts as a salty seasoning agent.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Portable feast makes for a delicious outdoor adventure," 8 July 2017
Alaska health officials counseled them and noted that the parasite in Arctic species can't be killed by smoking, drying or fermenting the meat.

— CBS News, "Please cook your walrus "well done," warn health officials following outbreak," 7 July 2017
Fermenting simple sugars in ginger, lemon juice, and sugarcane on a large scale without the benefit of grains required experimentation—

— francine maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "You Need to Know About Real, Boozy Ginger Beer," 7 July 2017
Because undigested starch could be fermented in the colon, and your body could end up absorbing the starch calories after all, Johnston doubts vinegar can cause rapid weight loss after all.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "13 Reasons Apple Cider Vinegar Is the Magic Potion You Need in Your Life," 3 July 2017
Expensive processes like lowering crop yields, barrel-fermenting and long-term aging certainly boost wine’s richness and intensity, but usually at the expense of its refreshment factor.

— marnie old, Philly.com, "Great Wine Values: Gazela Vinho Verde from Portugal," 29 June 2017
The process of creating their custom brands begins with bulk wines, which are fermented but not yet bottled.

— anne schamberg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Analytics make Bright Cellars the Pandora of wine clubs," 28 June 2017
Kojic Acid Kojic acid (derived from mushrooms or fermented rice) is commonly used in skin lighteners, and best used in conjunction with hydroquinone for maximum results.

— janell m. hickman, SELF, "8 Dark Spot Treatments That Really Work, According to Dermatologists," 27 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

ferment Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; 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

Near Antonyms

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

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

It sources wort from other breweries, wild-ferments it, then ages it in barrels to create lambic (sour) beers.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "From breweries to bike trails, Madison shines in the summer," 10 Aug. 2017
Careful to dodge formulaic representations of people living just above the poverty line in a council estate, the Netflix series supplies a keen look at how class, race, and religion ferment in such close proximity.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Vacay the Premises: What to Watch Before Your Next Getaway," 2 Aug. 2017
Doughs for pizza and flat breads and naan ferment in one refrigerator.

— maurizio cattelan, Vogue, "Game Day Goes Gourmet: All The Best New Things to Eat at Sports Arenas Now," 30 July 2017
Fueled by the ferment of Repack, mountain biking soon exploded from a niche hobby to a mainstream sport.

— austin murphy, SI.com, "Veloci-Rapture: At 200 Years Old, A Look At the Bicycle’s Effect on Health, Sports and Culture," 24 July 2017
There’s a creative ferment, with burgeoning art and tech and food scenes, a rapidly expanding rail network, and, well, all the other stuff this magazine covers.

— matthew segal, Los Angeles Magazine, "One of the Keys to Enjoying L.A. Is Driving Farther Than a Reasonable Person Should," 14 July 2017
Put the jar in a temperate place out of direct sunlight to first ferment into alcohol and then ferment further into vinegar.

— joey morona, cleveland.com, "ESPY Awards 2017: Predicting the winners," 12 July 2017
Salsa’s emergence was catalyzed by new migration — primarily the surge of Puerto Ricans to New York in the 1950s — and by the ferment of the 1960s, as well as by the cross-cultural encounters with neighbors that New York City makes inevitable.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "‘Rhythm & Power’: A Little Bling, a Little Politics, a Lot of Salsa," 15 June 2017
Pete Halupka and Lindsay Whiteaker founded the organization, whose products pair with the duo’s mission, which is to educate and build community around learning to ferment.

— caroline rogers, Southern Living, "Celebrate the South's Innovators at the Southern Food & Drink Entrepreneurs Awards," 5 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of ferment

Middle English, from Latin fermentum yeast — more at barm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

ferment Synonyms

Synonyms

disquiet, unrest, fermentation, restiveness, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness, unquietness

Antonyms

calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquillity (or tranquility)

Related Words

fidgets; agitation, commotion, confusion, excitement, hubbub, moil, stir, storm, trouble, tumult, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, uproar, unsettlement; disruption, perturbation; agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease; anarchy, chaos, disorder, welter

Near Antonyms

order, orderliness

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

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ferment from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ferment

ferment Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066