caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar ˈka-vē-ˌär How to pronounce caviar (audio)
 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
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.
The week included tastings of world-class caviar and wine, plus cuisine from two of Italy’s most celebrated chefs, Carlo Cracco and Norbert Niederkofler, as well as other chefs as part of Robb Report’s Culinary Masters event. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024 In full, guests should expect fancy fruits, cheeses, and Doja’s favorite caviar, the opportunity to shed their own creative skin in a vanity room with a prompt from the chart-topping rapper, a moment to sign a guestbook, leaving a special message for the host, and more. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2024 Dabs of caviar were liberally offered alongside each dish and there were pairings with tipples such as a vodka gimlet, which calls only for a liberal dose of lime juice. Lily Templeton, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024 Waiters served chorizo pigs in a blanket, potato pancakes with apple sauce, and salmon with caviar on corn blinis as legendary pianist Dom Salvador played on. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caviar 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of caviar was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near caviar

Cite this Entry

“Caviar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caviar. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

caviar

noun
cav·​i·​ar
variants also caviare
ˈkav-ē-ˌär How to pronounce caviar (audio)
 also  ˈkäv-
: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer

More from Merriam-Webster on caviar

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