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

His Sunday nights were often dedicated to crafting fresh pasta and homemade sourdough. —Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Tap water contains chemicals that could be harming your sourdough starter. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2025

Whole-wheat sourdough and bread offer these benefits. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 11 Mar. 2025

Slow Ride Doughnuts have become a hit in the area ever since owners Jessica and her husband Jeff started selling their sourdough donuts at the Lawrence Farmers Market a few years ago. —Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sourdough

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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