Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of fungus: Any of various single-celled fungi that reproduce asexually by budding or division.
   • A leavening agent: A commercial substance containing these fungal cells, used to ferment sugars and produce gas, which causes dough to rise in baking and alcoholic beverages to ferment.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Baker's yeast is essential for making bread.
  • The yeast in the beer fermenter is very active.
  • Yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Advanced Usage

• "Yeast infection": A common term for a fungal infection, typically caused by an overgrowth of yeast.
  • She was treated for a vaginal yeast infection.
• "Yeast extract": A food flavoring made from yeast, rich in B vitamins.
  • Marmite is a popular spread made from yeast extract.

Variants and Related Words

• Yeasty (adj): Of, containing, or resembling yeast; frothy or fermenting.
  • The dough had a yeasty smell.
  • He gave a yeasty speech full of new ideas. (Figurative use meaning lively or creative).

Synonyms

• Leaven (n): A substance used to produce fermentation in dough.
• Ferment (n): An agent causing fermentation.

Related Phrases

• Baker's yeast: The strain of yeast () commonly used in baking.
• Brewer's yeast: The strain of yeast used in brewing beer, often a byproduct of the brewing process also sold as a nutritional supplement.
• Wild yeast: Yeast spores present naturally in the environment, used in sourdough starters and some traditional fermentations.

Idioms

• "The yeast of society": A literary or figurative phrase suggesting an element that causes growth, change, or activity within a group.
  • Artists are often considered the yeast of society, provoking new thoughts.

Noun

1. any of various single-celled fungi that reproduce asexually by budding or division
2. a commercial leavening agent containing yeast cells; used to raise the dough in making bread and for fermenting beer or whiskey