sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(-ə)r-ˌdō 

 sense 1 is also  -ˈdō

1

: a leaven consisting of dough in which fermentation is active

2

[from the use of sourdough for making bread in prospectors' camps] : a veteran inhabitant and especially an old-time prospector of Alaska or northwestern Canada

Examples of sourdough in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

They’re enriched with egg yolks and butter and turn out big and soft — and tangy with the help of a little sourdough starter. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024

The blender helps achieve a silky smooth texture that comes from the addition of cream, Parmesan cheese, and surprisingly, sourdough bread. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

The Gusto founder shows us how to make pan de muerto, with the option to add sourdough starter, for Día de Muertos. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024

Back in 1993, Melissa Schroeder took the sourdough starter her mother handed down to her and started baking bread for a living in her kitchen in Dayton, Ohio. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sourdough

noun

sour·​dough ˈsau̇(ə)r-ˌdō 

1

: a dough in which fermentation is active and which is used to start fermentation in other dough (as in making bread)

2

: an old-time prospector in Alaska or northwestern Canada