curd

1 of 2

noun

1
: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated milk
2
: something suggesting the curd of milk
curdy adjective

curd

2 of 2

verb

curded; curding; curds

Examples of curd in a Sentence

Noun The curds have separated from the whey. The curd has separated from the whey.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Also in the top are two more straightforward takes on poutine, fittingly from Montreal Massimo and Kat, who grew up in Wisconsin and wasn’t about to mess up cheese curds. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025 Our neighbors to the north enjoy the dish — a heaping plate of fresh-cut fries topped with cheese curds and gravy — as both an appetizer and a full meal. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025 The curds remove any bitter and astringent notes and leave a supple texture and clean flavor. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 The après menu is available from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and includes all the classics: cheese curds, beer cheese pretzels, hot chocolate, and hot toddies. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curd

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English crud, curd (usually in plural cruddes, croddes, curddys) "coagulated milk, any thickened substance, dregs, lees," probably noun derivative of crudden, curdden "to curdle or make curdle (of milk), coagulate, congeal" — more at crud entry 2Though sparsely attested in Middle English, the metathesized variant curd is now standard in reference to a milk product, with crud, crood, etc., dialectal or regional in the British Isles (compare crowdie). An offshoot of British crud is North American crud entry 1.

Verb

Middle English curdden, metathetic variant of crudden — more at crud entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curd was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curd. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

curd

noun
ˈkərd
1
: the thickened or solid part of sour or partly digested milk compare whey
2
: something resembling the curd of milk
curdy
adjective

Medical Definition

curd

noun
: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated milk
curdy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on curd

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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