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 airy melted Hokkaido potato dish with chawanmushi, lightly pickled spring onion, and Cristal caviar was seductive and unexpected.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
The experience concludes with desserts including carrot patch dream cake and a cocoa cherry bunny, with optional additions like caviar service and oysters on the half-shell available for an extra indulgent touch.
—Imelda GarcÃa, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Steak is at the forefront of the menu with many different cuts and traditional steakhouse experiences like a raw bar for oysters and a caviar experience.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
San Francisco’s Le Fantastique (and its delicate caviar eclairs) shuttered back in 2023, and now chef Robbie Wilson is taking his culinary prowess to Music City.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
The experience concludes with desserts including carrot patch dream cake and a cocoa cherry bunny, with optional additions like caviar service and oysters on the half-shell available for an extra indulgent touch.
—Imelda GarcÃa, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Steak is at the forefront of the menu with many different cuts and traditional steakhouse experiences like a raw bar for oysters and a caviar experience.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
San Francisco’s Le Fantastique (and its delicate caviar eclairs) shuttered back in 2023, and now chef Robbie Wilson is taking his culinary prowess to Music City.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 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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