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 WebBecky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Aug. 2024
Conventional yogurts are produced by fermenting milk using a standard ‘starter culture’ of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus bacterial species; probiotic yogurts supplement the starter culture with probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium animalis.
—New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2024
Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2024
Essentially, these bacteria eat (ferment) the sugar – the lactose – and in doing so produce lactic acid, as well as other desirable flavor compounds in the cheese like diacetyl, which smells like hot buttered popcorn.
—John A. Lucey, The Conversation, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ferment 
Verb
Erythritol Levels in the Body Can Remain High for 2 to 4 Days After Consumption
Erythritol is about 70 percent as sweet as sugar and is produced through fermenting corn.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Aug. 2024
Conventional yogurts are produced by fermenting milk using a standard ‘starter culture’ of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus bacterial species; probiotic yogurts supplement the starter culture with probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium animalis.
—New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2024
Noun
This is largely because cattle, like goats or sheep, are ruminants: animals with four-chambered stomachs that ferment grass and other vegetation into consumable food.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2024
Essentially, these bacteria eat (ferment) the sugar – the lactose – and in doing so produce lactic acid, as well as other desirable flavor compounds in the cheese like diacetyl, which smells like hot buttered popcorn.
—John A. Lucey, The Conversation, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ferment
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ferment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferment. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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