concentrate

1 of 2

verb

con·​cen·​trate ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt How to pronounce concentrate (audio)
-ˌsen-
concentrated; concentrating

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : focus
concentrate one's efforts
The lenses concentrate sunlight.
b
: to gather into one body, mass, or force
Power was concentrated in a few able hands.
concentrate the energy of a sound wave
c
: to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues
Fish concentrate mercury.
2
a
: to make less dilute
concentrate syrup
b
: to express or exhibit in condensed form

intransitive verb

1
: to draw toward or meet in a common center
2
: gather, collect
Cuban immigrants who concentrate in Florida
3
: to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
concentrate on a problem
Farmers are concentrating on the wheat harvest.
concentrative adjective

concentrate

2 of 2

noun

1
: something concentrated: such as
a
: a mineral-rich product obtained after an initial processing of ore
b
: a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
orange juice concentrate
2
: a feedstuff (such as grains) relatively rich in digestible nutrients compare fiber

Examples of concentrate in a Sentence

Verb All that noise makes it hard to concentrate. The student has difficulty concentrating. The sauce should be simmered for a few minutes to concentrate its flavors. Noun a frozen orange juice concentrate Is this orange juice fresh or is it made from concentrate?
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.
Verb
Intoxicating cannabinoids typically refer to compounds concentrated from hemp that cause marijuana-like effects and are unregulated in Arizona. Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 6 July 2025 As the conditioner that brought his homeland their first two Breeders’ Cup championships (2021 Filly and Mare Turf, Loves Only You 2021 Distaff Marche Lorraine), the Tokyo native will concentrate on bringing the best Forever Young to Del Mar on November 1. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Noun
Some vapes may also be filled with cannabis concentrates, which are products such as extracts, oil and hash that are made by concentrating the resin of the cannabis plant. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 In addition, starting Oct. 1, the THC potency cap can rise —from 60% to 70% for concentrates and from 30% to 35% for cannabis flower. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for concentrate

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

com- + Latin centrum center

First Known Use

Verb

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of concentrate was in 1628

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Concentrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concentrate. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

concentrate

1 of 2 verb
con·​cen·​trate ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt How to pronounce concentrate (audio)
-sen-
concentrated; concentrating
1
a
: to bring, direct, or come toward or meet in a common center or objective
concentrate one's efforts
b
: to gather into one body, mass, or force
2
: to increase the amount of a substance in a space by removing other substances with which it is mixed or in which it is dissolved
concentrate syrup
concentrate ore
3
: to fix one's powers, efforts, or attention on one thing
concentrate on a problem
concentrator
-ˌtrāt-ər
noun

concentrate

2 of 2 noun
: something concentrated
frozen orange juice concentrate

Medical Definition

concentrate

1 of 2 verb
con·​cen·​trate ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt, -ˌsen- How to pronounce concentrate (audio)
concentrated; concentrating

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : focus
b
: to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues
fish concentrate mercury
2
: to make less dilute
concentrate syrup

intransitive verb

: to fix one's powers, efforts, or attention on one thing
concentrate on a problem
concentrator noun

concentrate

2 of 2 noun
: something prepared by concentration
especially : a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
orange juice concentrate

More from Merriam-Webster on concentrate

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