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

And developing a nuanced, hearty loaf of sourdough takes time. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025

Take the chill off with an Irish coffee and clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Our Test Kitchen agrees and uses this trick often to resuscitate sourdough bread. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025

The hearty pressed sourdough sandwiches, like a pastrami and swiss or roast beef and American cheese, go great with one of the brewery's cave-aged beers made with local yeasts. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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