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
Some people made sourdough starters to get through the COVID-19 lockdown.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Those who need to avoid or restrict gluten should opt for sourdough made with gluten-free flours.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2025
When food costs soared during COVID, there was hope the phenomenon would be temporary — something people would weather and then regard as an unfortunate blip, like the runs on toilet paper or our collective obsession with sourdough starters.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Try it with brie or white cheddar on sourdough for a sweet-savory lunch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sourdough
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Those who need to avoid or restrict gluten should opt for sourdough made with gluten-free flours.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2025
When food costs soared during COVID, there was hope the phenomenon would be temporary — something people would weather and then regard as an unfortunate blip, like the runs on toilet paper or our collective obsession with sourdough starters.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Try it with brie or white cheddar on sourdough for a sweet-savory lunch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sourdough
Cite this Entry
“Sourdough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sourdough. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share