sourdough

[souuhr-doh, sou-er-]

noun

1. fermented dough retained from one baking and used as leaven, rather than fresh yeast, to start the next.

2. bread leavened with this fermented dough.

   Pick up a loaf of sourdough and a baguette, too.

3. a prospector or pioneer, especially in Alaska or Canada.

4. any longtime resident, especially in Alaska or Canada.

adjective

1. leavened with sourdough.

   sourdough bread.

sourdough

/ ˈsaʊəˌdəʊ /

adjective

1. dialect,  (of bread) made with fermented dough used as a leaven

noun

1. (in Western US, Canada, and Alaska) an old-time prospector or pioneer

Word History and Origins

Origin of sourdough¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English: literally, “leaven, leavened bread” ; sour, dough

Example Sentences

When I say natural yeast, I mean yeast that’s found in sourdoughs.

From Salon

I returned with golden oil, salt like snow flakes and a warm sourdough loaf to join Maria José’s swish tomato.

From Salon

I start with breakfast — typically sourdough toast with avocado and a snowfall of everything bagel seasoning — and keep water alongside the coffee.

From Salon

She starts by drizzling olive oil and sprinkling kosher salt on a slice of homemade sourdough before toasting.

From Salon

Swift, it turns out, has been baking sourdough.

From Salon

Related Words

• cake 
• crepe 
• waffle