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

Sample course: Crispy Oysters & Caviar, which includes oysters wrapped in A5 Kobe beef, with caviar, hollandaise and chives. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2024

In this verdant setting, visitors can order classic French dishes: croque-monsieur with truffles, green asparagus topped with caviar, lobster salad, and sole meunière with buckwheat butter. —Jade Simon, Vogue, 21 June 2024

There’s no caviar on the in-room menu, but Bourbon Steak offers imperial kaluga and royal osetra, served either traditionally or in a signature parfait. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 15 June 2024

Coalition seeks additional 5% tax on wealthy A new secret bar in CT has signature cocktails, caviar, handheld foods. —Hartford Courant, 13 June 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