ferment

1 of 2

verb

fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment 

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 quiet

—Janet 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

(ˌ)fər-ˈmen-tə-bəl 

adjective

ferment

2 of 2

noun

fer·​ment ˈfər-ˌment 

also

(ˌ)fər-ˈment 

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 literature

—William Barrett

Synonyms

Verb

• abet
• brew
• foment
• incite
• instigate
• pick
• provoke
• raise
• stir (up)
• whip (up)

Noun

• disquiet
• fermentation
• restiveness
• restlessness
• Sturm und Drang
• turmoil
• uneasiness
• unquietness
• unrest

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

Verb

It’s complemented with garlic and fermented onion mayo, giving the dish its umami. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Both spirits go through a process of cooking, fermenting, and distilling agave, but mezcal’s production involves a unique step: roasting the agave piñas in underground pits. —Emily Price, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Plus, skin-care mainstay Centella Asiatica (also known as cica) soothes and calms the scalp, while lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic, balances the microbiome to prevent inflammation. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 1 Nov. 2024

Every product is formulated with their exclusive Commence Complex, a blend of alfalfa extract to support hair growth, quinoa peptides to add volume, acai stem cells for antioxidants that provide anti-aging perks and a Lactobacillus ferment, bio-fermentation technology that calms the scalp. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

ferment

1 of 2 verb

fer·​ment (ˌ)fər-ˈment 

1

: to undergo or cause to undergo fermentation

2

: to be or cause to be in a state of unrest or excitement

fermentable

-ˈment-ə-bəl 

adjective

fermenter noun

ferment

2 of 2 noun

fer·​ment ˈfər-ˌment 

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 

: to undergo fermentation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo fermentation

fermentable

-ə-bəl 

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

: fermentation