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

Specials include Oysters & Caviar – four local oysters, crème fraiche, passion fruit emulsion, paddlefish caviar and chive oil for $35, Roasted Oysters with charcoal butter, parsnip aioli and ponzu for $23 and Lobster Risotto with Brussels sprouts, red curry and tarragon butter for $65. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025

Its cocktails span the exotic and the oddball, including the Vienna Strudel, with mascarpone cheese, apple caviar and cinnamon raisins, and the Tokyo Drift, a blend of Japanese shochu, mezcal and vermouth crowned with lychee-wasabi air bubbles. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2025

San Francisco Champagne Society will host a one-of-a-kind tasting experience featuring three glasses of Champagne from its special collection, with options to add caviar or a plate of Brillat-Savarin cheese and crackers. —Nadia Lopez, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025

This process filters millions of gallons daily to ensure the highest water quality for sturgeon health and quality caviar. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 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

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