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

The Chrismukkah Bar slings cheese balls and crackers and latkes and caviar with plenty of boozy holiday options at The Daily Chew on Fridays and Saturdays until Dec. 21. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

The hotel joins local wineries, restaurants and shops in offering festive experiences, including sparkling wines from Iron Horse Vineyards, a special Mistletoe Sparkle cocktail, and Executive Chef Jason Pringle’s signature Pringle’s Pringles with caviar at Scout Field Bar and Hazel Hill. —Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Guests wake up in the residential-style guest rooms with a cup of Italian Lavazza coffee and can order in-room dining from a new menu that includes indulgent dishes like breakfast of caviar and creme fraiche paired with Dom Pérignon. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2024

Boutiques on the perimeter specialize in local saffron, honey, and tinned caviar from Azerbaijani sturgeon. —Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Nov. 2024

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