mash

1 of 5

verb (1)

mashed; mashing; mashes

transitive verb

1
a
: to reduce to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure
b
: crush, smash
mash a finger
2
: to subject (a substance, such as crushed malt) to the action of water with heating and stirring in preparing wort

mash

2 of 5

noun (1)

1
: a mixture of ground feeds for livestock
2
: crushed malt or grain meal steeped and stirred in hot water to produce wort
3
: a soft pulpy mass
4
British : mashed potatoes

mash

3 of 5

noun (2)

mash

4 of 5

verb (2)

mashed; mashing; mashes

transitive verb

: to flirt with or seek the affection of

MASH

5 of 5

abbreviation

mobile army surgical hospital

Examples of mash in a Sentence

Verb (1) this press can mash 10 bushels of apples at a time mash the ripe banana before adding it to the mixture Noun (2) she's usually got a mash on moviedom's hunk du jour
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This bottle from relative newcomer King’s Family is crafted with a 99% corn mash bill that has been aged for six years, resulting in an elegant liquid that makes a compelling case for Tennessee bourbon. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 Sometimes, the mash bill may incorporate more exotic grains. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
Raleigh put on a show in the next semifinal, simply mashing balls into – and over – the right field grandstand. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 July 2025 Laureano is a bright spot in Baltimore’s disappointing offence, mashing 10 homers while playing all three outfield positions. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mash

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English mash-, from Old English māx-; akin to Middle High German meisch mash

Noun (2)

perhaps from mash entry 1

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1870, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mash was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Mash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mash. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mash

1 of 2 noun
1
: crushed malt or grain meal soaked and stirred in hot water
2
: a mixture of ground feeds for livestock
3
: a soft pulpy mass

mash

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make into a soft pulpy mass by beating or pressure
2
: to expose crushed malt to the action of water with heating and stirring
masher noun

Medical Definition

MASH

abbreviation
mobile army surgical hospital

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