sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(-ə)r-ˌdō 

sense 1 is also -ˈdō

1

: a leaven consisting of dough in which fermentation is active

2

[from the use of sourdough for making bread in prospectors' camps] : a veteran inhabitant and especially an old-time prospector of Alaska or northwestern Canada

Examples of sourdough in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Marlee Crave served a summer dish at Fiddlehead Kitchen made from her husband's tomatoes and greens, her homemade sourdough bread and her family's cheese. — Derek James, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

From probiotics and prebiotics to digestion and smart food pairings, here’s how sourdough actually fits into a gut-friendly routine. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

And a 2019 study in Nutrients of 36 healthy adults found sourdough breads moved through parts of the digestive tract faster than bread made with baker’s yeast alone. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

The $60 price tag gets people curious, but the atmosphere, the story and the taste of that sourdough rye bread are what will have to keep them coming back. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sourdough

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(ə)r-ˌdō 

1

: a dough in which fermentation is active and which is used to start fermentation in other dough (as in making bread)

2

: an old-time prospector in Alaska or northwestern Canada