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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rich and indulgent dishes like truffles and caviar call for the wines’ bright fruity aromas and flavors. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025 In general, seafood items in retail packaging, like caviar or sardines, are allowed. Lanee Lee, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Look for everything from a posh caviar brunch to a free Drag Food Truck event. Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025 The dynamic duo charmed everyone in their path, including two Russian models who were offering caviar bites from IKRAA. Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for caviar

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

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Cite this Entry

“Caviar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caviar. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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

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