fermentation
n. uncountablen. the natural process where tiny living things like yeast or bacteria change sugar into alcohol or gas. This is how bread rises and how grapes turn into wine.
n. a metabolic process that produces chemical changes in organic substrates through the action of enzymes. In biochemistry, it refers specifically to the extraction of energy from carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen.
The fermentation of the dough takes several hours.
Traditional kimchi relies on the natural fermentation of cabbage and spices to develop its signature sour flavor.
Industrial fermentation processes are now used to produce not only food and beverages but also biofuels and pharmaceutical compounds like insulin on a massive scale.
From Middle English fermentacioun, from Latin fermentātiō, fermentātiōnem. By surface analysis, ferment + -ation.
Uncountable when referring to the chemical process; can be countable when referring to specific batches or types of the process.