caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar ˈka-vē-ˌär 

 also  ˈkä-

variants or less commonly caviare

1

: processed salted roe of large fish (such as sturgeon)

2

: something considered too delicate or lofty for mass appreciation

—usually used in the phrase caviar to the general

3

: something considered the best of its kind

Did you know?

The eggs, or roe, of sturgeon are called caviar. Preserved with salt, caviar is usually eaten as an appetizer. Most true caviar is produced in Russia and Iran, from fish taken from the Caspian and Black seas. The best grade, beluga, is prepared from large black or gray eggs; fresh beluga caviar is relatively scarce and thus expensive. Lesser grades are from smaller, denser eggs. In the U.S., the roe of salmon, whitefish, lumpfish, and paddlefish is sometimes sold under the name caviar.

Examples of caviar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the menu find radicchio and persimmon salad, potato pierogi with caviar, duck breast with puy lentils and roasted grape tart. —Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2024

Feel free to substitute California white sturgeon with your preferred caviar. —Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024

There’s also a new Après Skate experience at Coterie with oysters with caviar and signature Manjari Grand Cru hot chocolate, perfect for warming up after a day of skating at Frog Pond. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

In a fun new video posted to the superstar’s Instagram Thursday (Dec. 19), Ri and a friend try out an unorthodox pairing: chicken nuggets and caviar. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier cavery, caviarie, from obsolete Italian caviari, plural of caviaro, from Turkish havyar

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar

variants also caviare

ˈkav-ē-ˌär 

 also  ˈkäv-

: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer