caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar ˈka-vē-ˌär 

 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

And on Sundays, Fontana comes alive for its legendary Sunday Brunch, an extravagant all-you-can-eat affair of caviar, sushi, carved meats, and bottomless sparkling wine. —Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Optional add-ons include a caviar service, and Champagne by the glass, bottle or flight. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025

The inventory put together by SDNY prosecutors and the FBI demonstrates a real champagne wishes and caviar dreams mentality. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025

The menu at The Joyce includes seafood as well as steaks, including shrimp cocktail, crudo, a snapper filet sandwich and King Crab scampi, plus items like caviar and latkes. —Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for caviar

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar
• isobar

Kids Definition

caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar

variants also caviare

ˈkav-ē-ˌär 

 also  ˈkäv-

: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer