caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar ˈka-vē-ˌär How to pronounce caviar (audio)
 also  ˈkä-
variants or less commonly caviare
1
: processed salted roe of large fish (such as sturgeon)
2
: something considered too delicate or lofty for mass appreciation
usually used in the phrase caviar to the general
3
: something considered the best of its kind

Did you know?

The eggs, or roe, of sturgeon are called caviar. Preserved with salt, caviar is usually eaten as an appetizer. Most true caviar is produced in Russia and Iran, from fish taken from the Caspian and Black seas. The best grade, beluga, is prepared from large black or gray eggs; fresh beluga caviar is relatively scarce and thus expensive. Lesser grades are from smaller, denser eggs. In the U.S., the roe of salmon, whitefish, lumpfish, and paddlefish is sometimes sold under the name caviar.

Examples of caviar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Recent menus featured cauliflower with California White Sturgeon caviar and wild foraged greens and a seafood tower with Foxley River oysters, Bay scallops, and Dungeness crab dip. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 More than 1,000 bottles of Fleur de Miraval Rosé Champagne were popped (for this third year of the partnership between the French maison and the Academy), and bites—from tater tots topped with caviar, wagyu slices, and duck bao to dark chocolate eclairs and strawberry paris-brest—were passed. David Graver, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 Most recently, Sabyasachi launched his High Jewelry collection at Bergdorf Goodman, complete with caviar from Petrossian and Dom Perignon champagne – because, once again, Sabyasachi always does things well. Bettina Zilkha, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Standouts include the Surf N Turf roll (wagyu, lobster, asparagus, truffle salt, and caviar) and the Yama Fried Rice. Silver Lake Restaurant and Empire Canyon Lodge: When skiing at Deer Valley, the resort’s famous turkey chili is usually on the menu. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024 Enriched with green caviar and elastin protein for a replenishing dose of hydration, the shampoo and conditioner work together to revitalize dry and lackluster strands in just one wash. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 Oysters are spooned over with caviar and served with a champagne rescued from a shipwreck on the ocean floor. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Guests danced to a disco playlist, tucked into potato soup with black truffle and caviar, and a certain Willow Smith took to the piano. Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024 Prices: Dinner appetizers $12 to $50 (for caviar), main courses $22 to $59. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caviar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier cavery, caviarie, from obsolete Italian caviari, plural of caviaro, from Turkish havyar

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of caviar was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near caviar

Cite this Entry

“Caviar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caviar. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

caviar

noun
cav·​i·​ar
variants also caviare
ˈkav-ē-ˌär How to pronounce caviar (audio)
 also  ˈkäv-
: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer

More from Merriam-Webster on caviar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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