yogurt

American  

[yoh-gert] / ˈyoʊ gərt /

Or yoghurt

noun

1. a tart, custardlike food made from milk curdled by the action of bacterial cultures, sometimes sweetened or flavored.

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yogurt British  

/ ˈjɒɡ-, ˈjəʊɡət /

noun

1. a thick custard-like food prepared from milk that has been curdled by bacteria, often sweetened and flavoured with fruit, chocolate, etc

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Etymology

Origin of yogurt

First recorded in 1615–25; from Turkish yoğurt

Explanation

Yogurt is a creamy, slightly sour food that many people like to eat for breakfast. Frozen yogurt also makes a delicious dessert — especially with plenty of chocolate sprinkles. Yogurt is basically fermented milk, made thick and creamy by lactic acid and bacteria — it may not sound very appetizing described that way, but yogurt is a tasty food made even more delectable by the addition of sweeteners and fruit, or in savory dishes by salt and spices. And yogurt is good for you, adding healthy bacteria to your digestive system. The word comes from the Turkish yoǧurt, from a root meaning "condense."

Example Sentences

It’s awesome because they rub you from head to toe with body oil, then they wash your hair and give you a cucumber and yogurt mask.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Clover Sonoma markets its milk, yogurt and cheese products as humanely sourced and environmentally sound.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The swap is simple: use yogurt in place of some or all of the mayo.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Then I had an epiphany: Greek yogurt could once again be my savior and solution to my problems.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

I take my first bite of yogurt and it melts in my mouth like ice cream.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden