ferment meaning and definition

FERMENT noun

Definition of ferment (noun)

1. a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
   • "the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest"
   • synonyms: agitation, fermentation, tempestuousness, unrest
2. a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
3. a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
   • synonyms: fermentation, fermenting, zymolysis, zymosis

FERMENT verb

Definition of ferment (verb)

1. be in an agitated or excited state
   • "The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"
2. work up into agitation or excitement
   • "Islam is fermenting Africa"
3. 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"
   • synonyms: work
4. go sour or spoil
   • "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"
   • synonyms: sour, turn, work