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

Still, the available research does point to sourdough being more blood sugar-friendly than some other breads. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 8 Dec. 2025

This is ideal for recipes like sourdough bread, where the elasticity lends structure and allows the bread to rise to the occasion. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025

The café’s top-selling item is its sourdough bread loaves, baked fresh each morning with organic flour from Cairnspring Mills in Washington state. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025

Made with an authentic starter, rolled in the brand's signature Good Seed topping and sliced thick, Dave’s Killer Bread Supreme Sourdough delivers on the flavor and texture of sourdough bread done the DKB way. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 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