ferment

1 of 2

verb

fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment How to pronounce ferment (audio)
fermented; fermenting; ferments

intransitive verb

1
: to undergo fermentation
The wine ferments in oak barrels.
2
: to be in a state of agitation or intense activity
everything ferments in him—his thoughts, sensations, and memories; nothing stays quietJanet Flanner

transitive verb

1
: to cause to undergo fermentation
Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.
2
: to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment
fermentable adjective

ferment

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a living organism (such as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b
: enzyme
2
a
: a state of unrest : agitation
b
: a process of active often disorderly development
the great period of creative ferment in literatureWilliam Barrett

Examples of ferment in a Sentence

Verb The wine ferments in oak barrels. Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice. Noun The city was in a state of ferment after the election. the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote
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.
Verb
The star ingredient in question is fermented kefir extract, a prebiotic that promotes skin regeneration. Siena Gagliano, Allure, 23 Jan. 2025 Text chains are flourishing, and an idea is fermenting about using shipping containers as living quarters. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
Key Ingredients: Honey locust seed extract, peptides, arctic marine ferment How to Apply: Squeeze the bottle to release the serum, then use upward strokes to massage the roller over the neck and under the jawline. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025 Each one is packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, lemon and lime essential oils, and radish root ferment. Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ferment 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Latin fermentum yeast — more at barm

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near ferment

Cite this Entry

“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferment. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ferment

1 of 2 verb
fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment How to pronounce ferment (audio)
1
: to undergo or cause to undergo fermentation
2
: to be or cause to be in a state of unrest or excitement
fermentable adjective
fermenter noun

ferment

2 of 2 noun
fer·​ment ˈfər-ˌment How to pronounce ferment (audio)
1
: an agent (as a yeast) that is capable of causing fermentation
2
: a state of unrest or excitement

Medical Definition

ferment

1 of 2 intransitive verb
fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment How to pronounce ferment (audio)
: to undergo fermentation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo fermentation
fermentable adjective

ferment

2 of 2 noun
fer·​ment
ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ
1
a
: a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b
: enzyme
2

More from Merriam-Webster on ferment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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