yeast

noun

\ ˈyēst

, especially Southern and Midland US ˈēst\

Definition of yeast

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a yellowish surface froth or sediment that occurs especially in saccharine liquids (such as fruit juices) in which it promotes alcoholic fermentation, consists largely of cells of a fungus (such as the saccharomyces, Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and is used especially in the making of alcoholic liquors and as a leaven in baking

b : a commercial product containing yeast fungi in a moist or dry medium

c(1) : a unicellular fungus that is present and functionally active in yeast, usually has little or no mycelium, and reproduces by budding

(2) : any of various similar fungi

2 archaic : the foam or spume of waves

3 : something that causes ferment or activity were all seething with the yeast of revolt— J. F. Dobie

yeast

verb

yeasted; yeasting; yeasts

Definition of yeast (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: ferment, froth

Other Words from yeast Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about yeast

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of yeast in a Sentence

Noun

taxation without representation proved to be the yeast of rebellion

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In this case, the yeast in the flour works as the ripening agent. — Amy Mitchell, Country Living, "How to Ripen an Avocado Fast," 3 May 2019 In Barbe-Nicole's time, the most common method for refining the vintage was simply to open it and pour the wine into a new bottle, leaving the yeast behind. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "You Have the Founding Mothers of Champagne to Thank for the Bubbly You Drink Today," 8 Mar. 2019 Make a large well in the center of the flour mixture and add the yeast. — Daniel Neman, sacbee, "Artistry, flavor blends are marks of Moroccan," 10 July 2018 In the days before electricity and climate control, cold winters could easily halt the progress of fermentation in unheated wine cellars by sending the yeasts into a form of hibernation until temperatures rose again in the spring. — Marnie Old, Philly.com, "Great Wine Values: Relax Riesling," 7 June 2018 Additionally, this yeast (pityrosporum) builds up, leading to dandruff. — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, "Why Exactly Does My Hair Hurt?," 7 Mar. 2019 Combine the 1 cup milk, yeast, and the 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl and let stand until bubbly. — Country Living Staff, Country Living, "The Best Hot Cross Buns Recipe to Make This Easter," 7 Mar. 2019 Donut Monster has three basic styles of doughnut — old-fashioned, cake and yeast, a richer brioche-like dough — and builds its sweet flavors on those. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Donut Monster coming at you (pop-ups first, a store later)," 3 July 2018 Flour, yeast, salt, water, and skill come together to make something truly magic and life-sustaining under Martin’s strong, watchful eye. — Annemarie Conte, Woman's Day, "What We Learned After Baking Nothing But Bread for 3 Days," 9 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Same for dozens of styles of fish stew, yeasted rolls, cakes, and pies found around the world. — National Geographic, "The Secret History of the World's Priciest Spice," 3 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yeast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about yeast

Dictionary Entries near yeast

Statistics for yeast

Last Updated

17 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for yeast

The first known use of yeast was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for yeast

yeast

noun

English Language Learners Definition of yeast

: a type of fungus that is used in making alcoholic drinks (such as beer and wine) and in baking to help make dough rise

See the full definition for yeast in the English Language Learners Dictionary

yeast

noun

\ ˈyēst

Kids Definition of yeast

1 : a single-celled fungus that ferments sugar to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide

2 : a commercial product containing living yeast cells that is used in baking to make dough rise and in the making of alcoholic beverages (as wine)

yeast

noun

\ ˈyēst

Medical Definition of yeast

1 : a unicellular chiefly ascomycetous fungus (as of the family Saccharomycetaceae) that has usually little or no mycelium, that typically reproduces asexually by budding, and that includes forms (as Saccharomyces cerevisiae) which cause alcoholic fermentation and are used especially in the making of alcoholic beverages and leavened bread

2 : a yellowish surface froth or sediment that occurs especially in sugary fermenting liquids (as fruit juices) and consists chiefly of yeast cells and carbon dioxide

3 : a commercial product containing yeast cells in a moist or dry medium