fermentation

American  

[fur-men-tey-shuhn] / ˌfɜr mɛnˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of fermenting.

2. a change brought about by a ferment, as yeast enzymes, which convert grape sugar into ethyl alcohol.

3. agitation; excitement.

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fermentation British  

/ ˌfɜːmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. Also called: ferment.  a chemical reaction in which a ferment causes an organic molecule to split into simpler substances, esp the anaerobic conversion of sugar to ethyl alcohol by yeast

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fermentation Scientific  

/ fûr′mĕn-tā′shən /

1. The process by which complex organic compounds, such as glucose, are broken down by the action of enzymes into simpler compounds without the use of oxygen. Fermentation results in the production of energy in the form of two ATP molecules, and produces less energy than the aerobic process of cellular respiration. The other end products of fermentation differ depending on the organism. In many bacteria, fungi, protists, and animals cells (notably muscle cells in the body), fermentation produces lactic acid and lactate, carbon dioxide, and water. In yeast and most plant cells, fermentation produces ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide, and water.

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fermentation Cultural  

1. A chemical reaction in which sugars are broken down into smaller molecules that can be used in living systems. Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and whiskey, are made from the controlled use of fermentation. Fermentation is an anaerobic process.

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Other Word Forms

• fermentative
  adjective
• fermentatively
  adverb
• fermentativeness
  noun
• nonfermentation
  noun
• prefermentation
  noun
• self-fermentation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fermentation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fermentacioun, from Late Latin fermentātiōn-, stem of fermentātiō, from Latin fermentāt(us) “fermented” (past participle of fermentāre “to ferment”; see ferment) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Fermentation is the process in which a substance breaks down into a simpler substance. Microorganisms like yeast and bacteria usually play a role in the fermentation process, creating beer, wine, bread, kimchi, yogurt and other foods. Fermentation comes from the Latin word fermentare, meaning “to leaven.” To make bread rise, you use a leavening agent to “wake up” dry yeast by mixing it with water. The yeast then starts “eating” the sugar in the dough and off-gassing alcohol: that’s fermentation. Grape juice becomes wine as the fermentation process is complete.

Example Sentences

The yearly Portland Fermentation Festival, also known as “Stinkfest,” used to have more amateurs exhibiting their wares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Fermentation, which is the basis of soy sauce production, is a technology that controls spoilage.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2024

Fermentation is a relatively easy preservation technique that has been used for thousands of years.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2023

Fermentation is an ancient technique which originated in China.

From Science Daily • Oct. 4, 2023

Fermentation, as we have already seen, requires a plentiful supply of air, and a certain amount, but not too much, of moisture.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton