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

Key Takeaways Real sourdough should only have flour, water, salt, and a starter or culture. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 26 Dec. 2025

She’s famously whipped up homemade pop-tarts for friends such as Channing Tatum as well as the Kansas City Chiefs, cinnamon rolls for her love before a game, and a loaf of fresh sourdough for longtime pal Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco. —Anna Chan, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2025

Once inside the cozy cottage, you'll be smacked with the pleasant aroma of toasty sourdough and Benton's bacon, mingling in perfect harmony with poached eggs. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2025

Typically made with enriched dough (flour, eggs, butter, sugar), studded with raisins and candied orange and citron, and naturally leavened with sourdough starter, the taste is soft and buttery, with mild sweetness, citrus notes, and bursts of fruit. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025

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