fermentation

/ˌfɜːmenˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌfɜːrmenˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌfər-mən-ˈtā-shən -ˌmen-/ (ame, mw)

fermentation — noun

1. the natural reaction in which tiny living things such as yeast or bacteria slowl

1.名詞B2
釋義

the natural reaction in which tiny living things such as yeast or bacteria slowly break down sugars inside something we eat or drink, often making bubbles, warmth, or alcohol as a result.

例句

Naoko opened the jar of kimchi to release gas from the fermentation.

release gas from the fermentation — common collocation

During fermentation, the wild yeast slowly turns the grape juice into wine.

during fermentation + yeast turns X into Y

同義詞
  • brewing

    narrower — only for making beer, tea, or coffee

  • souring

    narrower — only when the result tastes sour, e.g. yoghurt

文法句型

fermentation of [substance]

during fermentation

用法筆記

Mass-noun by default; a countable use ('a fermentation') refers to one specific batch or process. Subject of 'fermentation' is typically the food or drink being changed; the agent (yeast, bacteria) is named with 'by'.

常見錯誤

❌The bread was made by a fermentation of flour.
✅The bread was made by the fermentation of flour by yeast.
💡name the agent with 'by' when you want to credit the microorganism.

2. a period when many strong feelings, new ideas, or sudden changes are stirring in

2.名詞C1
釋義

a period when many strong feelings, new ideas, or sudden changes are stirring in a group, country, or field of thought, often before something big happens.

例句

The capital was in a state of fermentation after the surprise election result.

in a state of fermentation — typical frame

Erik described the 1960s as a decade of artistic fermentation across Europe.

artistic / cultural fermentation

同義詞
  • unrest

    more about visible discontent or trouble

  • upheaval

    stronger — implies major disruption, not gradual stirring

  • ferment

    the noun form most often used in this metaphorical sense — almost interchangeable

反義詞

文法句型

in a state of fermentation

political fermentation

用法筆記

Formal and metaphorical; distinct from sense 1 by always describing people, ideas, or society — never food or drink. Often paired with 'state of', 'period of', or modifiers like 'political', 'artistic', 'intellectual'.

常見錯誤

❌The crowd was full of fermentation.
✅The crowd was in a state of fermentation.
💡use 'in a state of' or a modifier ('political fermentation'), not 'full of'.