fermentation
noun
fer·men·ta·tion
ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən 
-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
Kim MarcusThe 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
Miriam Levine HelbokDuring 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
J. Kenji AltCultured butter is made from cream in which fermentation—the conversion of milk sugars into lactic acid—has begun to take place.—Ben Mims
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
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
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
Miles KingtonThe 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
Nina Simonds2
: ferment sense 2
Music concerts, poetry readings, and other progressive campus activities can produce intellectual fermentation and thought provoking ideas.—Robert Hoffman
Robert HoffmanSynonyms
Examples of fermentation in a Sentence
a wave of change followed by a period of social fermentation
Recent Examples on the Web
This was the era of craft beer brewing, so for those who liked getting deep into the technicalities of fermentation, sake was the next logical step.
—Shana Clarke, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
From fermentation to aging, AI tools help in maintaining the optimal conditions needed for producing consistent, high-quality whiskey.
—Neil Sahota, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Many other types of cheeses are produced without the use of mites, and their characteristics are shaped by different methods such as fermentation, salting and aging.
—Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2024
What separates a master distiller from master blender A master distiller handles all fermentation and distilling process. ...
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2024
The chef’s fermentation methods combined with Svalbard’s unique proteins means diners are walloped by strong, punchy flavors, particularly the Svalbard seal on a chickpea pancake topped with blueberry.
—Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024
The state takes its wine-making process pretty seriously, with Appalachian State University offering a fermentation science program.
—Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Cooper says one of the major outcomes of going organic was their decision to switch to native yeast fermentation beginning in 2011.
—Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Beyond its own production, Proper Sake also sells its koji to restaurants throughout the South for their fermentation programs.
—Shana Clarke, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Shana Clarke, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
From fermentation to aging, AI tools help in maintaining the optimal conditions needed for producing consistent, high-quality whiskey.
—Neil Sahota, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Many other types of cheeses are produced without the use of mites, and their characteristics are shaped by different methods such as fermentation, salting and aging.
—Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2024
What separates a master distiller from master blender A master distiller handles all fermentation and distilling process. ...
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2024
The chef’s fermentation methods combined with Svalbard’s unique proteins means diners are walloped by strong, punchy flavors, particularly the Svalbard seal on a chickpea pancake topped with blueberry.
—Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024
The state takes its wine-making process pretty seriously, with Appalachian State University offering a fermentation science program.
—Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Cooper says one of the major outcomes of going organic was their decision to switch to native yeast fermentation beginning in 2011.
—Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Beyond its own production, Proper Sake also sells its koji to restaurants throughout the South for their fermentation programs.
—Shana Clarke, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near fermentation
Cite this Entry
“Fermentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fermentation. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fermentation
noun
fer·men·ta·tion
ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən
-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
adjective
(ˌ)fər-ˈment-ət-iv
Medical Definition
fermentation
noun
fer·men·ta·tion
ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen-
: 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
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
Food & Fitness Advisor Love words? Need even more definitions?
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