noun
Uncommon
yeast
yeest
Yeast (noun) means a microscopic fungus used to ferment dough or brew alcohol. Example: “She added a packet of yeast to the flour to make the dough rise.”
noun
1
A microscopic fungus used to ferment dough or brew alcohol.
"She added a packet of yeast to the flour to make the dough rise."
"Bakers use yeast to make bread light and fluffy."
"Without enough yeast, the pizza base stayed flat and heavy."
verb
1
To ferment or cause to rise.
"The dough was left to yeast overnight in a warm spot."
"Cover the bowl and let the mixture yeast for about an hour."
"The dough will yeast faster if the kitchen is warm."
How to use yeast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA living microorganism used in baking (to make bread rise) and brewing (to turn sugar into alcohol).
Common mistake
"Yeast infection" refers to an overgrowth of a different yeast species (Candida) in the body, unrelated to baking yeast.
Common pairings
active yeast
yeast infection
brewer's yeast
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Word forms
- Plural
- yeasts
- Third person singular
- yeasts
- Past tense
- yeasted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She added a packet of _____ to the flour to make the dough rise.
Etymology
From Old English ġist/ġyst, from a Germanic root related to foam or froth — the same root behind the German word for sea foam.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for yeast
See all rhymes for yeast →Frequently asked questions
What does “yeast” mean?
The word “yeast” means a microscopic fungus used to ferment dough or brew alcohol. In plain terms, a living microorganism used in baking (to make bread rise) and brewing (to turn sugar into alcohol).
How do you pronounce “yeast”?
“Yeast” is pronounced yeest (/jist/ in IPA).
How do you use “yeast” in a sentence?
Here is “yeast” used in a sentence: “She added a packet of yeast to the flour to make the dough rise.”
What part of speech is “yeast”?
Depending on how it is used, “yeast” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yeast” come from?
The word “yeast” comes from Old English. From Old English ġist/ġyst, from a Germanic root related to foam or froth — the same root behind the German word for sea foam.
Is “yeast” a common word?
“Yeast” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “yeast” have?
“Yeast” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a microscopic fungus used to ferment dough or brew alcohol.
What is the difference between yeast and baking powder?
Yeast is a microscopic fungus that ferments dough biologically, producing carbon dioxide over time through a living organism, whereas baking powder is a chemical leavening agent that reacts instantly with moisture and heat. Yeast typically requires proofing time, while baking powder works immediately in baking.
Can "yeast" be used as a verb?
Yes, "yeast" can function as a verb meaning to ferment or cause something to rise, though the noun use referring to the fungus itself is far more common. As a verb it describes the action or process rather than the organism.
Is yeast only used in baking?
No, yeast is also used to brew alcohol, since the same fermentation process that makes dough rise also converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide in beverages like beer and wine. Its dual role in baking and brewing comes from this shared fermentation ability.
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