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

In a space even grander than that of the show itself, reverberating sounds filled the floor, accompanied by trays of burger sliders, mini corn dogs, and caviar sandwich bites. —Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2025

Special caviar experiences designed by Ramon Mac-Crohon, Caviar Kaspia’s owner and CEO, are also available. —Alfredo Mineo, WWD, 22 Feb. 2025

Fill up your seashell cups and break out the mother-of-pearl dishes for caviar. —Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 21 Feb. 2025

The tasting menu runs through more than 20 dishes starring exquisite ingredients including caviar, wagyu, sea urchin and local ingredients from the Orlando market. —Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for caviar

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar
• isobar

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