caviar
noun
cav·i·ar
ˈka-vē-ˌär 
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
During the holiday season, Harrell had a tradition of giving away Champagne and caviar samples.
—
Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
The hotel’s culture calendar includes champagne and caviar dinners at Wolfgang Puck’s Cut restaurant and guided tours during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
—Laura Dannen Redman, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025
The limited food menu planned includes basics like hot dogs and sandwiches alongside some more modern touches like wonton churros and potato chips with caviar.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025
This speedy class is a crash course in oysters and caviar while sipping on Italian wines.
—Jake Richardson, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caviar
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Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
The hotel’s culture calendar includes champagne and caviar dinners at Wolfgang Puck’s Cut restaurant and guided tours during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
—Laura Dannen Redman, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025
The limited food menu planned includes basics like hot dogs and sandwiches alongside some more modern touches like wonton churros and potato chips with caviar.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025
This speedy class is a crash course in oysters and caviar while sipping on Italian wines.
—Jake Richardson, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caviar
Cite this Entry
“Caviar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caviar. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caviar
noun
cav·i·ar
variants
also caviare
ˈkav-ē-ˌär
also ˈkäv-
: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer
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