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

Led by chef Izu Ani, the menu features the same dishes that made the original Gaias famous, with raw dishes like bluefin tuna caviar and sea bream carpaccio with truffle. —Connie Ogle april 29, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026

Lobster rolls and caviars are served as snacks. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Indoor and outdoor seating, signature cocktails, caviar and more. —Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Olindo could be seen indulging in caviar and taking a moment on a balcony to soak up the scenery at the waterfront venue. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier cavery, caviarie, from obsolete Italian caviari, plural of caviaro, from Turkish havyar

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caviar

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• ansar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar

Kids 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