sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(-ə)r-ˌdō How to pronounce sourdough (audio)
 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 The Gusto founder shows us how to make pan de muerto, with the option to add sourdough starter, for Día de Muertos. Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 Back in 1993, Melissa Schroeder took the sourdough starter her mother handed down to her and started baking bread for a living in her kitchen in Dayton, Ohio. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2024 Dig in: The Accidental Baker specializes in gluten-free staples like bagels, sourdough loaves and croissants. Laura Barrero, Axios, 7 Aug. 2024 Healthier options include whole wheat, sourdough, spelt, rye, and pumpernickel. Aviv Joshua, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sourdough 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sourdough.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sourdough was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sourdough

Cite this Entry

“Sourdough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sourdough. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sourdough

noun
sour·​dough ˈsau̇(ə)r-ˌdō How to pronounce sourdough (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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