WordWeb Online

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

Derived forms: fermentations

See also: ferment, fermentable

Type of: chemical action, chemical change, chemical process, Sturm und Drang, turbulence, upheaval

Encyclopedia: Fermentation