Broth: meaning, definitions and examples

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broth

[brɒθ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

food

A clear soup typically made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables in water with various seasonings.

Synonyms

bouillon, soup, stock.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
broth	Refers to a thin liquid made by simmering meat, vegetables, and sometimes bones. It is usually lighter than soup and can be consumed on its own or used as a base for other dishes. She made chicken broth to use in the risotto. When you have a cold, a warm bowl of broth can be comforting.
stock	A rich and flavorful liquid made by slowly simmering bones, meat scraps, and vegetables, often used as a base for soups, sauces, and other dishes. It is more concentrated than broth. Homemade chicken stock adds depth to sauces and soups. She always keeps a container of beef stock in the freezer.
bouillon	Often refers to a concentrated form of broth, typically sold as cubes or granules that dissolve in hot water. It is used to quickly add flavor to dishes. I added a bouillon cube to the noodle soup for extra flavor. Bouillon is a convenient way to make a quick broth.
soup	A liquid dish made by boiling ingredients like meat, vegetables, or fish. It can be thick or thin and is often served as a starter or a main course. Tomato soup with grilled cheese is a classic comfort food. They served a hearty vegetable soup before the main course.

Examples of usage

The chicken broth was soothing on a cold day.
She drank a bowl of hot broth to warm up.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

cooking

The liquid in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been boiled; a thin soup.

Synonyms

bouillon, soup, stock.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
broth	Typically refers to the liquid in which meat has been cooked. It can be used as a base for soups, stews, or sauces. Usually contains more solid ingredients like meat or vegetables than stock. She made a delicious chicken broth for the soup. The beef broth was rich and flavorful.
stock	A flavorful liquid made by simmering bones, meat, or vegetables. It is used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces. Stock is usually more flavorful and richer than broth. The chef prepared a fish stock to use in the seafood stew. Homemade vegetable stock adds depth to any dish.
bouillon	A clear, seasoned broth made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables. Commonly used in French cuisine and often refers to a concentrated cube or powder used to make broth quickly. I dissolved a bouillon cube in hot water to make a quick soup. Bouillon is a great way to add flavor to dishes.
soup	A liquid dish, typically made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables in stock or water. It can have a wide range of ingredients and is often served as a starter or main course. We had tomato soup for lunch. Chicken noodle soup is perfect on a cold day.

Examples of usage

Add some broth to the stew for extra flavor.
The recipe calls for vegetable broth as a base.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

figurative

The essence or underlying substance or cause of an action or condition.

Synonyms

cause, essence, underlying substance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
broth	This term is generally used in culinary contexts to describe a liquid in which meat, bones, or vegetables have been simmered. It serves as a base for soups, sauces, and gravies. She added some chicken broth to the soup for extra flavor. The recipe called for beef broth, but you can use vegetable broth as a substitute.
essence	This term is used in both philosophical and general contexts to refer to the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something that determines its character. The essence of democracy is freedom of choice. Capturing the essence of the city's history was the challenge of the documentary.
underlying substance	This term is used in both scientific and philosophical contexts to refer to the fundamental matter or core component of something, often something not immediately visible or obvious. The underlying substance of the debate is the disagreement over the tax policy. Physicists are trying to understand the underlying substance of the universe.
cause	This term is used in both general and scientific contexts to describe the reason or origin of an event, action, or condition. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Poor diet and lack of exercise are common causes of heart disease.

Examples of usage

Love is the broth that nourishes a healthy relationship.
Trust is the broth of a strong friendship.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Practices

Broth is a fundamental base for many soups, sauces, and risottos, adding depth and flavor to dishes.
Different cultures have unique broth recipes; for example, pho broth is made with spices and beef, while miso broth is common in Japanese cuisine.

Nutritional Benefits

Broth is known for its health benefits, including aiding digestion and maintaining hydration.
Bone broth, made by simmering bones, is popular for its high collagen content, which is believed to support skin and joint health.

Historical Origins

The practice of making broth can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where it was used as a source of nourishment and warmth.
In medieval Europe, broth was commonly consumed by the sick as a gentle, restorative food.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, broth is a symbol of home and nurturing, often prepared for family gatherings or when someone is unwell.
In Jewish tradition, chicken soup – often referred to as 'Jewish penicillin' – is traditionally served to help cure colds and illnesses.

Science of Cooking

The process of simmering ingredients to create broth extracts flavors, nutrients, and gelatin, enhancing the overall taste.
Chemically, the Maillard reaction in browning meat during the broth-making process adds complexity to the flavor profile.

Translations

Translations of the word "broth" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caldo

🇮🇳 शोरबा (Shorba)

🇩🇪 Brühe

🇮🇩 kaldu

🇺🇦 бульйон

🇵🇱 bulion

🇯🇵 ブロス (Burosu)

🇫🇷 bouillon

🇪🇸 caldo

🇹🇷 et suyu

🇰🇷 육수 (Yuksu)

🇸🇦 مرق

🇨🇿 vývar

🇸🇰 vývar

🇨🇳 汤 (Tāng)

🇸🇮 juha

🇮🇸 soð

🇰🇿 сорпа

🇬🇪 ხორცი ბულიონი (khorts'i bulioni)

🇦🇿 ət suyu

🇲🇽 caldo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,012, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11009 dissolving
11010 pancreatic
11011 squared
11012 broth
11013 handing
11014 vanish
11015 predicated
...