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

In the spring of 2018, Sageman-Furnas began a computer search for a special type of surface — one that could be transformed into a Bonnet pair, akin to how a sourdough starter acts as a base for whipping up different kinds of bread. —Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026

Such foods include yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and sourdough bread. —Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

This Breakfast Combo Could Support Gut Health This can be a healthy breakfast option, especially if the sourdough is whole grain, vegetables are added, and a healthy fat like avocado or extra virgin olive oil is included, said Julia Zumpano, RD, a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026

The most surprising ingredient that makes this dish extra delicious is the sourdough bread blended in for texture. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 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