fermentation

noun

fer·​men·​ta·​tion ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce fermentation (audio)
-ˌmen-
plural fermentations
1
a
: the enzyme-catalyzed anaerobic breakdown of an energy-rich compound (such as a carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and alcohol or to an organic acid) by the action of microorganisms (such as bacteria or yeast) that occurs naturally and is commonly used in the production of various products (such as food, alcoholic beverages, and pharmaceuticals) especially by controlling microbial enzymatic activity
The wine then undergoes a long fermentation that results in a high alcohol content (15 to 17 percent) and a dry wine.Kim Marcus
The panda is quite unlike most other herbivores, however, whose digestive tracts contain bacteria and protozoans that break down hard-to-digest plant materials through fermentation.Miriam Levine Helbok
During a starter's fermentation, yeast produces alcohol, carbon dioxide, and sulfur compounds, all of which contribute to good bread's unique flavor.J. Kenji Alt
Cultured butter is made from cream in which fermentation—the conversion of milk sugars into lactic acid—has begun to take place.Ben Mims
broadly : any of various enzyme-catalyzed aerobic or anaerobic processes (such as oxidation) involving transformation of organic compounds
Most of the catechins are oxidized during the natural fermentation process that converts fresh green tea leaves to black tea. Food & Fitness Advisor
Tobacco fermentation is basically highly controlled composting, and releases many chemicals and impurities that would otherwise ruin the tobacco's flavor. Tad Gage
b
: an instance or occurrence of fermentation
The process is simplicity itself—a couple of fermentations, a gradual tilting of the bottle to remove the sediment and a final addition of sugar to make it brut or doux.Miles Kington
The ancient Chinese also stored vegetables in a pickling brine with a vinegar base. Various vinegars, made from fermentations of rice, wheat, grapes, or even peaches, were used.Nina Simonds
2
: ferment sense 2
Music concerts, poetry readings, and other progressive campus activities can produce intellectual fermentation and thought provoking ideas.Robert Hoffman

Examples of fermentation in a Sentence

a wave of change followed by a period of social fermentation
Recent Examples on the Web The lab has two development streams: repurposing existing waste foods and fermentation. Charlotte Lytton, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Cimarron is made with natural fermentation and wine yeasts and was designed to be dry with mixing in mind, so bartenders can control the level of sweetness in each drink. Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The sugar in apple juice converts to alcohol during the fermentation process. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 21 Feb. 2024 The agave is harvested from the Casas Blancas ranch, which is owned by the Beckmann Gonzalez family, and a 45-year-old proprietary yeast that is only used at this distillery is added during fermentation. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Dec. 2023 Grapes for his Lonely Heart Cab were grown in blocks 16 and 32 of the Quintessence vineyard in Red Mountain and after fermentation this 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 21 months in 87 percent new French oak barrels. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 Its fermentation process promotes the growth of probiotics and creates amino acids, including glutamic acid. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 Yogurt is made by combining heated milk and bacteria, which begins the fermentation process and converts the sugar in milk to lactic acid and allows the milk to thicken and become tart. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 The flavors are strawberry and raspberry with kombucha-like funk from having fermentation finish in the bottle. Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fermentation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fermentation was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near fermentation

Cite this Entry

“Fermentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fermentation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fermentation

noun
fer·​men·​ta·​tion ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce fermentation (audio)
-ˌmen-
: chemical breaking down of a substance (as in the souring of milk or the formation of alcohol from sugar) produced by an enzyme and often accompanied by the formation of a gas
fermentative
(ˌ)fər-ˈment-ət-iv
adjective

Medical Definition

fermentation

noun
fer·​men·​ta·​tion ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen- How to pronounce fermentation (audio)
: the enzyme-catalyzed anaerobic breakdown of an energy-rich compound (as a carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and alcohol or to an organic acid) by the action of microorganisms (as bacteria or yeast) that occurs naturally and is commonly used in the production of various products (as food, alcoholic beverages, and pharmaceuticals) especially by controlling microbial enzymatic activity
… Pasteur proved that microorganisms cause fermentation, the process that turns grape juice into wine.Ken Reese, Today's Chemist
broadly : any of various enzyme-catalyzed aerobic or anaerobic processes (such as oxidation) involving transformation of organic compounds
Most of the catechins are oxidized during the natural fermentation process that converts fresh green tea leaves to black tea. Food & Fitness Advisor

More from Merriam-Webster on fermentation

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