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

Along with Peter Reinhart and Éric Kayser, Poilâne validates using sourdough and commercial yeast together. —Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

In a pinch, swap in your favorite multigrain bread or hearty sourdough. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025

The 4-month-old Grand Avenue sourdough bakery has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the city. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2025

The chef, Travis Lett, was obsessive about nearly everything—produce, sourcing, seasonality, herbs, spices, the chewiness of a hunk of sourdough or a pizza crust—and this obsessiveness resulted in a restaurant that was more or less flawless. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 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