yeast

1 of 2

noun

ˈyēst 

 especially Southern and Midland US  ˈēst

1

a

: 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-like adjective

or less commonly yeastlike

ˈyēst-ˌlīk 

 especially Southern and Midland US  ˈēst-

yeast

2 of 2

verb

yeasted; yeasting; yeasts

intransitive verb

: ferment, froth

Synonyms

Noun

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• motivation
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus

Examples of yeast in a Sentence

Noun

taxation without representation proved to be the yeast of rebellion

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Research has indicated that active ingredients like vitamin B, vitamin E, trace yeast, and inositol—the benefits of which can be furthered through fermentation, as noted—can serve to smooth and moisturize hair and skin. —Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2023

Let this stand for 5 minutes so the yeast can activate. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2023

Wondering if instructions should have indicated dissolving the yeast in warm milk, with a tsp of sugar before proceeding /w reminder of recipe? —Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023

Its production process encapsulates centuries of craftsmanship, carefully blending premium rice, pure water, yeast, and koji fungus. —Tokyo Halfie, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2023

It’s derived from malassezia, a type of yeast found on the skin. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023

In fact, a microbiome of bacteria and yeast naturally live on the skin. —Claire McCarthy, M.d., Parents, 13 Nov. 2023

It is made of leftover yeast from local breweries and bakeries; requires a multiweek fermentation process; involves salt, and maybe onions and celery; and is an excellent source of vitamins. —Natasha Frost Abigail Varney, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023

Common fungal infections include athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and vaginal yeast infections.8 The urinary tract is a common site for infections. —Barbie Cervoni, Ms, Rd, Cdces, Cdn, Health, 18 Oct. 2023

Verb

Make dough: Add eggs, shortening, sugar, salt, 2 cups of the flour, and remaining 1 cup warm water to yeast mixture. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2023

Add shortening mixture to yeast mixture along with 4 cups bread flour. —Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 20 July 2023

To create tiny morphine factories, scientists added to yeast genetic components from poppy, sugar beets, and a soil bacterium. —Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2015

Spring Valley Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules are preservative-free, artificial coloring and flavoring-free, and also yeast, wheat, milk, lactose, and sugar-free. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2022

Lichens are symbiotic organisms of fungi, algae and possibly yeast that live off each other, not your tree. —Jessica Damiano, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2023

Some dogs, on the other hand, are allergic to yeast. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2022

Here, the liquid becomes wine thanks to yeast that transforms the grape juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2022

With bread and yeast hard to find early in the pandemic, more people began baking sourdough bread at home. —Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2022

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yest, from Old English gist; akin to Old High German jesen, gesen to ferment, Greek zein to boil

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1819, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing yeast

• nutritional yeast
• brewer's yeast
• yeast infection
• baker's yeast

• nutritional yeast
• brewer's yeast
• yeast infection
• baker's yeast

Kids Definition

yeast

noun

ˈyēst,

ˈēst

1

a

: a one-celled fungus that produces alcohol during the process of fermentation

also : any of various similar fungi

b

: a yellowish foamy material that may occur on the surface of sweet liquids (as fruit juices) undergoing fermentation and that consists chiefly of yeast cells and carbon dioxide

c

: a commercial product containing living yeast cells that is used mostly in the making of alcoholic beverages and as a leaven especially in baking bread

2

: something that causes motion or activity

yeasty

ˈyē-stē

ˈē-stē

adjective

Medical Definition

yeast

noun

ˈyēst 

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

yeastlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective