Main Entry: mas·ti·cate

Pronunciation: \ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): mas·ti·cat·ed; mas·ti·cat·ing

transitive verb

1 : to grind, crush, and chew (food) with or as if with the teeth in preparation for swallowing
2 : to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading

intransitive verb

: to make the motions involved in masticating food

—mas·ti·ca·tion \ˌmas-tə-ˈkā-shən\ noun