churn

²churn

verb

Definition of CHURN

transitive verb

1

: to agitate (milk or cream) in a churn in order to make butter

2

a : to stir or agitate violently <an old stern-wheeler churning the muddy river> b : to make (as foam) by so doing

3

: to make (the account of a client) excessively active by frequent purchases and sales primarily in order to generate commissions

intransitive verb

1

: to work a churn

2

a : to produce, proceed with, or experience violent motion or agitation <her stomach was churning> <churning legs> b : to proceed by or as if by means of rotating members (as wheels or propellers) <boats churning across the harbor>

Examples of CHURN

1. The motorboats churned the water.
2. The water churned all around us.
3. The wheels began to slowly churn.
4. He showed them how to churn butter.

First Known Use of CHURN

15th century

Related to CHURN

Synonyms: boil, seethe, moil, roil

Related Words: reel, spin, swirl, whirl; agitate, stir

Near Antonyms: abate, calm, subside

see all synonyms and antonyms

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