sourdough

[ souuhr-doh, sou-er- ]

noun

1. fermented dough retained from one baking and used as leaven, rather than fresh yeast, to start the next.
2. bread leavened with this fermented dough:

   Pick up a loaf of sourdough and a baguette, too.

3. a prospector or pioneer, especially in Alaska or Canada.
4. any longtime resident, especially in Alaska or Canada.

adjective

1. leavened with sourdough:

   sourdough bread.

sourdough

/ ˈsaʊəˌdəʊ /

adjective

1. dialect.
   (of bread) made with fermented dough used as a leaven

noun

1. (in Western US, Canada, and Alaska) an old-time prospector or pioneer

Word History and Origins

Origin of sourdough¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English: literally, “leaven, leavened bread” ; sour, dough

Example Sentences

Additionally, it can be found in beans, artichokes, and sweet potatoes, and in fermented foods such as sourdough bread, as well as miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

From Science Daily

The irony is fermented food products, like sourdough, and those rife with fungi, such as blue cheese, have long reigned over the food scene in the U.S.

From Salon

In that sense, the terrifying tug between personal agency and assisted living is both the film’s sourdough starter and its entire loaf.

From New York Times

Homemade toasted sourdough bread would be slathered with creamy mayo and thick slices of freshly picked tomatoes would be piled high.

From Salon

The components of creating a sourdough starter are very simple – flour and water.

From Salon

Related Words

• expert
• pro
• vet