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

Opened in 2021, this stylish contemporary hotel — with its antler chandeliers and oversize firewood racks — is evidence of the direction the county is moving: less herring and cheese curds, more cocktails and caviar. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025

Chefs served caviar and Cristal champagne was available for 500 guests. —Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025

The menu included lamb chop and quail, shellfish and caviar, and the passion fruit dessert. —Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Revelers fawned over the over-the-top ice sculptures serving up Silent Pool gin martinis, and caviar bites thanks to Aureta, whose very own caviar tins come labeled with her name and likeness. —Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 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