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
The Concours d'Lemons is a more corndog than caviar event that's an ode to the less desirable, less loved and less expensive driveway dwellers.
—
Lee Cowan, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Enjoy waffles with Petrossian caviar, generously sized karaage chicken cubes served in a delicate crown of flowers and greenery, meltingly soft wagyu bone-in beef short rib and tableside kaisen donabe gohan with crab.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The meal kicks off with caviar croquetas, which feature caviar in the bechamel sauce as well as a lobster roll with caviar (and a whole claw topping it off).
—Connie Ogle
may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Wine and spirit-free pairings remain available, as is the popular caviar service.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for caviar
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Lee Cowan, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Enjoy waffles with Petrossian caviar, generously sized karaage chicken cubes served in a delicate crown of flowers and greenery, meltingly soft wagyu bone-in beef short rib and tableside kaisen donabe gohan with crab.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The meal kicks off with caviar croquetas, which feature caviar in the bechamel sauce as well as a lobster roll with caviar (and a whole claw topping it off).
—Connie Ogle
may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Wine and spirit-free pairings remain available, as is the popular caviar service.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for caviar
Cite this Entry
“Caviar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caviar. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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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