fer·ment
(ˌ)fər-ˈment 
fermented; fermenting; ferments
1
: to undergo fermentation
The wine ferments in oak barrels.
2
: to be in a state of agitation or intense activity
everything ferments in him—his thoughts, sensations, and memories; nothing stays quiet—
Janet Flanner
Janet Flanner1
: to cause to undergo fermentation
Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.
2
: to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment
fer·ment
ˈfər-ˌment
also
(ˌ)fər-ˈment
1
a
: a living organism (such as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b
: enzyme
2
a
: a state of unrest : agitation
b
: a process of active often disorderly development
the great period of creative ferment in literature—William Barrett
William BarrettSynonyms
Examples of ferment in a Sentence
Verb
The wine ferments in oak barrels.
Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.
Noun
The city was in a state of ferment after the election.
the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote
Recent Examples on the Web
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
That said, if left long enough, honey that has started to crystalize can ferment.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
Emily Price, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
In order for grain to ferment, a distiller first has to convert its starch into sugar.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ferment 
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Verb
Generally speaking, rum is produced by fermenting either molasses, sugar cane juice, or a combination.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
That said, if left long enough, honey that has started to crystalize can ferment.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
Fermentation: Once cooked, the agave is mashed and left to ferment naturally with wild yeasts.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
In order for grain to ferment, a distiller first has to convert its starch into sugar.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ferment
Articles Related to ferment
Dictionary Entries Near ferment
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferment. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ferment
1 of 2 verb
fer·ment
(ˌ)fər-ˈment
1
: to undergo or cause to undergo fermentation
2
: to be or cause to be in a state of unrest or excitement
fermenter
noun
ferment
2 of 2 noun
fer·ment
ˈfər-ˌment
1
: an agent (as a yeast) that is capable of causing fermentation
2
: a state of unrest or excitement
Medical Definition
ferment
1 of 2 intransitive verb
fer·ment
(ˌ)fər-ˈment
: to undergo fermentation
: to cause to undergo fermentation
ferment
2 of 2 noun
fer·ment
ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ
1
a
: a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b
: enzyme
2
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