lubricate

verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
lubricated; lubricating

transitive verb

1
: to make smooth or slippery
2
: to apply a lubricant to

intransitive verb

: to act as a lubricant
lubrication noun
lubricative adjective
lubricator noun

Examples of lubricate in a Sentence

it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance
Recent Examples on the Web Sufficiently lubricated, Lynch handed Burke his phone and asked him to read a long note. Billy Witz, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Inside, Omega upgraded the movement with various new components, more durable polymers, and lubricating oils specially chosen for their resistance to heat. Chris Hall, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 This time ensures lubricating oil gets to all of the engine's vital parts. Coral Murphy Marcos, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 The tubes themselves were kept slick by workers who periodically sent decoy projectiles full of lubricating oil through the lines. Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Dec. 2023 The continuous pressure helps address joint swelling and shifts in lubricating joint fluid. Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2024 This will maintain the battery's life, keep seals properly lubricated and prevent old start combustion contaminants from accumulating in the engine oil. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 There are two lubricating strips, five blades spaced close together to help prevent nicks and a pivoting ball on the head moves along with the contours of your body and shaves hard to reach areas. Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 24 July 2023 The alcohol seems to lubricate the raising and lowering of her guard. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lubricate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre "to make slippery," derivative of lūbricus "slippery, hard to hold, liable to lead to false steps, hazardous" — more at sleeve

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lubricate was circa 1623

Dictionary Entries Near lubricate

Cite this Entry

“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lubricate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lubricate

verb
lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
lubricated; lubricating
1
: to make smooth or slippery
2
: to apply a lubricant to
lubricate a car
3
: to act as a lubricant
lubrication noun
lubricator noun

Medical Definition

lubricate

transitive verb
lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-bri-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
lubricated; lubricating
: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance
lubricate the eye
lubricate the skin
lubrication noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lubricate

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