leavening

American  

[lev-uh-ning] / ˈlɛv ə nɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called leavening agent.  a substance used to produce fermentation in dough or batter; leaven.

2. the act or process of causing to ferment by leaven.

3. leaven.

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Etymology

Origin of leavening

First recorded in 1600–10; leaven + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The film’s comedy won’t appeal to all tastes, but some will welcome the leavening effect it has on the movie’s more frightening aspects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

They are also what make it rise in the absence of other leavening agents.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2024

You would think all the leavening would make it light, but the weight of the other ingredients created 4-pound pancakes, which were so thick that the inside could only cook if the outside was burnt.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2023

The leavening gives the brownies a little lift, which helps them hold their swirl while baking.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022

From morning to night, he displayed cool and reasoned leadership, with his humor leavening even the most difficult crisis.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela