yogurt

American  

[yoh-gert] / ˈyoʊ gərt /

Or yoghurt

noun

1. a tart, custardlike food made from milk curdled by the action of bacterial cultures, sometimes sweetened or flavored.

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yogurt British  

/ ˈjɒɡ-, ˈjəʊɡət /

noun

1. a thick custard-like food prepared from milk that has been curdled by bacteria, often sweetened and flavoured with fruit, chocolate, etc

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Etymology

Origin of yogurt

First recorded in 1615–25; from Turkish yoğurt

Explanation

Yogurt is a creamy, slightly sour food that many people like to eat for breakfast. Frozen yogurt also makes a delicious dessert — especially with plenty of chocolate sprinkles. Yogurt is basically fermented milk, made thick and creamy by lactic acid and bacteria — it may not sound very appetizing described that way, but yogurt is a tasty food made even more delectable by the addition of sweeteners and fruit, or in savory dishes by salt and spices. And yogurt is good for you, adding healthy bacteria to your digestive system. The word comes from the Turkish yoǧurt, from a root meaning "condense."

Example Sentences

Yogurt spending rose the most, followed by fresh fruit, nutrition bars, and meat snacks.

From Science Daily • Jan. 12, 2026

Appeared in the October 4, 2025, print edition as 'Chicken Kebabs With Onion-Mint Salad, Yogurt and Warm Pita'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025

TJ’s recommends mixing one to two tablespoons of TJ’s Plain Greek Whole Milk Yogurt into the warm and drained pasta for an extra tangy sauce.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2025

The news so far, according to Variety, is this: Brooks will be back as Yogurt — just plain Yogurt — and Josh Gad will star.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

Serve in lightly toasted pita pockets topped with "Yogurt Sauce".

From The Perdue Chicken Cookbook by Perdue, Mitzi