sourdough

American  

[souuhr-doh, sou-er-] / ˈsaʊərˌdoʊ, ˈsaʊ ər- /

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.

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adjective

1. leavened with sourdough.

   sourdough bread.

sourdough British  

/ ˈsaʊəˌdəʊ /

adjective

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

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noun

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

Etymology

Origin of sourdough

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

Example Sentences

All we have to do is pick a goal—increase the sale of sourdough by 10%, transition the world to vegetarianism—and Should Futurists will confidently tell us what we should do to achieve it.

From The Wall Street Journal

A few combinations I love: a loaf of homemade sourdough alongside a beautiful farmers’ market marmalade.

From Salon

The pandemic was great for introverts, sourdough bread enthusiasts, and retail stocks.

From Barron's

The London-born Hart, who honed his sourdough skills during seven years at San Francisco’s acclaimed Tartine Bakery, issued an apology online last week after his comments, which were made months ago, went viral.

From Los Angeles Times

Their bakery in northwest London runs 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, supplying sourdough loaves to Gail's, as well as supermarkets, shops and restaurants.

From BBC

Related Words

• cake
• crepe
• waffle