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

There’s mujadara, a classic Middle Eastern and Levantine dish made with cooked lentils and rice, caramelized onions, herbs and yogurt or tahini.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

Part of the decline reflected the divestiture of brands including Noosa yogurt.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

Anyone want a drink?” one of the kids calls out as he opens the fridge at the Airbnb, stocked with yogurt, soda and pressed juices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Good options include pineapple, oranges, mango, or yogurt.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

It was a fat-free, home baked cracker with real fruit and yogurt inside.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman