crouton

American  

[kroo-ton, kroo-ton] / ˈkru tɒn, kruˈtɒn /

noun

1. a small piece of fried or toasted bread, sometimes seasoned, used as a garnish for soups, salads, and other dishes.

---

crouton British  

/ ˈkruːtɒn /

noun

1. a small piece of fried or toasted bread, usually served in soup

---

Etymology

Origin of crouton

1800–10; < French, equivalent to croûte crust + -on diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

The crouton may reach its pinnacle of simple greatness in a Caesar, as one-third of the triumvirate — including anchovy-rich, creamy dressing and Parmesan — joining forces to make mere romaine amazing.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

To elaborate: Part of the whole of a salad, yet a respite from all the vegetation, a crouton is a crispy little treasure.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

I like a garlicky, large, super-crisp crouton, so I often buy a baguette or Italian bread, cube it and then crisp it up in a pan or in the oven in lots of garlic-flavored oil.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2023

Slide the chicken onto the bottom rack of the oven; set the crouton sheet pan on the middle rack.

From Washington Post • Mar. 12, 2023

"Good Lord" gasped the gambler, and choked on a crouton.

From The Long Chance by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)