curd

1 of 2

noun

ˈkərd How to pronounce curd (audio)
Synonyms of curdnext
1
: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated milk
2
: something suggesting the curd of milk
curdy
ˈkər-dē How to pronounce curd (audio)
adjective

curd

2 of 2

verb

curded; curding; curds
: coagulate, curdle

Examples of curd in a Sentence

Noun The curds have separated from the whey. The curd has separated from the whey.
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.
Noun
What Is Hoop Cheese? Hoop cheese is a cow’s milk cheese that’s made by a simple method of separating curds and whey. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025 That includes a collection of new sandwiches, a vegetable couscous salad, a patty melt and loaded brisket cheese curds, among others. — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 It was historically processed using rennet, an enzyme used in cheese production that separates the milk's curds from its whey.29 Like Greek yogurt, modern production of skyr involves fermenting the milk with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. — Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 3 Feb. 2025 Also in the top are two more straightforward takes on poutine, fittingly from Montreal Massimo and Kat, who grew up in Wisconsin and wasn’t about to mess up cheese curds. — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curd

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English crud, curd (usually in plural cruddes, croddes, curddys) "coagulated milk, any thickened substance, dregs, lees," probably noun derivative of crudden, curdden "to curdle or make curdle (of milk), coagulate, congeal" — more at crud entry 2Though sparsely attested in Middle English, the metathesized variant curd is now standard in reference to a milk product, with crud, crood, etc., dialectal or regional in the British Isles (compare crowdie). An offshoot of British crud is North American crud entry 1.

Verb

Middle English curdden, metathetic variant of crudden — more at crud entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curd was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing curd

Rhymes for curd

See All Rhymes for curd

Browse Nearby Words

Curcumin S
curd
curd cheese
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Cite this Entry

“Curd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curd. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

curd

noun
ˈkərd
1
: the thickened or solid part of sour or partly digested milk compare whey
2
: something resembling the curd of milk
curdy
-ē
adjective

Medical Definition

curd

noun
ˈkərd How to pronounce curd (audio)
: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated milk
curdy
-ē How to pronounce curd (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on curd

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for curd

Nglish: Translation of curd for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curd

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