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

Baking and Preserving The pandemic-era rise in sourdough loaves may have peaked, but many of us didn’t abandon it. —Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025

Turkish wines are also on the menu, while a bakery turns out traditional sweet and savory treats like sourdough bread and Turkish sponge cake. —Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025

Key examples include red meat, whole-grain sourdough bread, olive oil, dairy, fruits like pomegranates and figs, and natural sweeteners, such as raw local honey. —Ashlyn Messier, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025

After wrapping up her Eras Tour, she’s been diving into the art of sourdough, experimenting with ingredients, and perfecting her technique. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 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