Definition of ferment Ferment

/fɚmɛˈnt/ - [ferment] - fer•ment

We found 20 definitions of ferment from 5 different sources.

What does ferment mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: ferments
ferment - a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
		substance the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes"
ferment - a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
		zymosis, zymolysis, fermentation, fermenting
		chemical action, chemical change, chemical process (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved
		bottom fermentation a slow kind of alcoholic fermentation at a temperature low enough that the yeast cells can sink to the bottom of the fermenting liquid; used in the production of lager
		top fermentation a violent kind of alcoholic fermentation at a temperature high enough to carry the yeast cells to the top of the fermenting liquid; used in the production of ale; "top fermentation uses a yeast that ferments at higher temperatures than that used for bottom fermentation"
ferment - a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest"
		agitation, fermentation, tempestuousness, unrest
		sturm und drang, turbulence, upheaval unstable flow of a liquid or gas
Verb ferments, fermenting, fermented
ferment - cause to undergo fermentation; "We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content"; "The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats"
		work
		convert change in nature, purpose, or function; undergo a chemical change; "The substance converts to an acid"
		vinify convert a juice into wine by fermentation; "vinify grape juice"
ferment - work up into agitation or excitement; "Islam is fermenting Africa"
		fire up, ignite, heat, stir up, inflame, wake cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat; "Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a cigarette"
ferment - be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"
		seethe, boil boil vigorously; "The liquid was seething"; "The water rolled"
ferment - go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"
		sour, turn, work
		change state, turn undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election"

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Wiktionary

ferment (Noun)
Something, such as a yeast that causes fermentation.
ferment (Noun)
A state of agitation or of turbulent change.
ferment (Noun)
A catalyst.
ferment (Verb)
To react, using fermentation; especially to produce alcohol by aging or by allowing yeast to act on sugars; to brew.
ferment (Verb)
To stir up, agitate, cause unrest.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

ferment (n.)
That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer.
ferment (n.)
Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
ferment (n.)
A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation.
ferment (n.)
To cause ferment of fermentation in; to set in motion; to excite internal emotion in; to heat.
ferment (v. i.)
To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited into sensible internal motion, as the constituent oarticles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to effervesce.
ferment (v. i.)
To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

ferment
fėr′ment, n. what excites fermentation, as yeast, leaven: internal motion amongst the parts of a fluid: agitation: tumult.—v.t. Ferment′, to excite fermentation: to inflame.—v.i. to rise and swell by the action of fermentation: to work, used of wine, &c.: to be in excited action: to be stirred with anger.—n. Fermentabil′ity.—adj. Ferment′able, capable of fermentation.—n. Fermentā′tion, the act or process of fermenting: the change which takes place in liquids exposed to air: the kind of spontaneous decomposition which produces alcohol: restless action of the mind or feelings.—adj. Ferment′ative, causing or consisting in fermentation.—n. Ferment′ativeness.—adj. Fermentes′cible, capable of being fermented. [Fr.,—L. fermentum, for fervimentum—fervēre, to boil.]