fer·ment
(ˌ)fər-ˈment 
fermented; fermenting; ferments
1
: to undergo fermentation
The wine ferments in oak barrels.
2
: to be in a state of agitation or intense activity
everything ferments in him—his thoughts, sensations, and memories; nothing stays quiet—
Janet Flanner
Janet Flanner1
: to cause to undergo fermentation
Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.
2
: to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment
fer·ment
ˈfər-ˌment
also
(ˌ)fər-ˈment
1
a
: a living organism (such as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b
: enzyme
2
a
: a state of unrest : agitation
b
: a process of active often disorderly development
the great period of creative ferment in literature—William Barrett
William BarrettExamples of ferment in a Sentence
Verb
The wine ferments in oak barrels.
Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.
Noun
The city was in a state of ferment after the election.
the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote
Recent Examples on the Web
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
When FODMAPs pass into the large intestine, bacteria ferment them.
—Cynthia Sass, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
In the colon, resistant starch ferments and produces short-chain fatty acids, which may support digestion and reduce inflammation.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
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Verb
There’s a Zarza Pink Bourbon Thermal Shock Washed variety, for instance, and a Los Patios Peach Geisha Honey coffee blended with peach concentrate and Sumatra Bener Meriah Gayo Aalamin fermented with powdered jasmine.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
When FODMAPs pass into the large intestine, bacteria ferment them.
—Cynthia Sass, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
This bacteria ferments fiber into short-chain fatty acids that enhance Treg cell function and help maintain gut health.
—Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
In the colon, resistant starch ferments and produces short-chain fatty acids, which may support digestion and reduce inflammation.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferment. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ferment
1 of 2 verb
fer·ment
(ˌ)fər-ˈment
1
: to undergo or cause to undergo fermentation
2
: to be or cause to be in a state of unrest or excitement
fermenter
noun
ferment
2 of 2 noun
fer·ment
ˈfər-ˌment
1
: an agent (as a yeast) that is capable of causing fermentation
2
: a state of unrest or excitement
Medical Definition
ferment
1 of 2 intransitive verb
fer·ment
(ˌ)fər-ˈment
: to undergo fermentation
: to cause to undergo fermentation
ferment
2 of 2 noun
fer·ment
ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ
1
a
: a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b
: enzyme
2
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