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noun Uncommon

fermentation

fur-muhn-TAY-shuhn

Fermentation (noun) means the chemical process by which yeast, bacteria, or enzymes convert sugars into alcohol, acid, or gas, usually without oxygen. Example: “Fermentation is what turns barley and hops into beer.”

noun
1
The chemical process by which yeast, bacteria, or enzymes convert sugars into alcohol, acid, or gas, usually without oxygen.
"Fermentation is what turns barley and hops into beer."
"Yoghurt is made through the fermentation of milk by live bacteria."

How to use fermentation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe natural process behind bread, beer, wine, yoghurt, and pickles, where microbes break sugars down into something else.

Common pairings
alcoholic fermentation the fermentation process undergo fermentation

Word forms

fermentations plural

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Test yourself on “fermentation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is what turns barley and hops into beer.

Etymology

From Latin fermentatio, built on fermentum, "leaven" — the substance that makes dough or drink "work."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for fermentation

See all rhymes for fermentation →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fermentation” mean?

The word “fermentation” means the chemical process by which yeast, bacteria, or enzymes convert sugars into alcohol, acid, or gas, usually without oxygen. In plain terms, the natural process behind bread, beer, wine, yoghurt, and pickles, where microbes break sugars down into something else.

How do you pronounce “fermentation”?

“Fermentation” is pronounced fur-muhn-TAY-shuhn (/ˌfɜɹmənˈteɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “fermentation” in a sentence?

Here is “fermentation” used in a sentence: “Fermentation is what turns barley and hops into beer.”

What part of speech is “fermentation”?

“Fermentation” is a noun.

Where does the word “fermentation” come from?

The word “fermentation” comes from Latin. From Latin fermentatio, built on fermentum, "leaven" — the substance that makes dough or drink "work.".

Is “fermentation” a common word?

“Fermentation” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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