concentrate

verb con·cen·trate \ ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt , -ˌsen- \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: concentrate in a Sentence

Definition of concentrate

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.

—

concentratedly

play \ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrā-təd-lē, -ˌsen-; ˌkän(t)-sən-ˈtrā-\ adverb

—

concentrative

play \ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrā-tiv, -ˌsen-\ adjective

See concentrate defined for English-language learners

See concentrate defined for kids

Examples of concentrate in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of concentrate from the Web

This kind of interpersonal violence concentrates in low-income urban pockets, and many gunshot victims survive their wounds only to return to the same neighborhoods where they were shot.

— Cincinnati.com, "Aftermath: 'You're going back to East Oakland'," 4 June 2018
Campaigning for Mexico’s presidential election, due on July 1st, has concentrated on crime and corruption.

— The Economist, "Mexico’s crucial education reform risks being unwound," 31 May 2018
This year, crews are concentrating on the westbound lanes and expect fewer problems because the east side is already in better condition.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Tired of being stuck in JoCo traffic? Here's what's up with road work this summer," 31 May 2018
The programs adopted by the two other utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, concentrate more on charging infrastructure for electric trucks, buses and heavy-duty equipment.

— rob nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "California utilities commission OKs $776.5 million to boost electric vehicle use," 31 May 2018
Fiedler Marciano Architecture designed a pair of artist studios for the I-Park Foundation’s art program where artists of all kinds spend a month concentrating, distraction free, on their work.

— liz stinson, Curbed, "These modern cabins in the woods serve as serene artist studios," 30 May 2018
More important, the flavors concentrate, growing richer, rounder, and more powerful with each passing day.

— ruth reichl, Town & Country, "The Best Hamburgers Start with Dry-Aged Beef," 28 May 2018
This concentrated, aromatic, spicy-sweet chile paste seasons the ribs robustly in as little as 15 minutes.

— andy baraghani, Bon Appetit, "Grilled Short Ribs with Pickled Daikon," 28 May 2018
An ever-greater share of economic gains concentrates in ever-fewer hands, while the barriers to converting private wealth into public power grow fewer and farther between.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "America’s Version of Capitalism Is Incompatible With Democracy," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'concentrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of concentrate

com- + Latin centrum center

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1628

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

concentrate Synonyms

Phrases

get together;

concentrate

noun

Definition of concentrate

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

See concentrate defined for English-language learners

Examples of concentrate in a Sentence

a frozen orange juice concentrate
Is this orange juice fresh or is it made from concentrate?

Recent Examples of concentrate from the Web

The not-from-concentrate products are made without artificial flavors or preservatives.

— katherine feser, Houston Chronicle, "Simply Beverages division of Coca-Cola unveils new light juice products," 21 May 2018
Somehow, Welser-Most and the orchestra rendered the works in higher-than-usual concentrates, deepening the impact of each and underscoring the nature and extent of the contrast.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra's 'Prometheus Project' gets off to fiery start: review," 11 May 2018
Some concentrates are very high in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

— alex wigglesworth, latimes.com, "Legal weed in California: A consumer's guide," 20 Apr. 2018
The thick patty of excellent beef would no doubt shine all by itself, but kicks into high gear with a dash of tomato concentrate, smoked onion jam, pickles and cheddar.

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "High marks for Topside in food, drink and view," 22 May 2018
But otherwise, concentrate on getting rid of debt first.

— michelle singletary, BostonGlobe.com, "Millennials get plenty of financial advice — but most of it is wrong," 18 May 2018
Place reserved tablespoon concentrate on a small plate and salt on another small plate.

— Country Living, "Orange-Ginger Margarita," 24 May 2012
As a manufacturer, Emmett can use either trim (like the leaves and stem of a plant) or bud to make products like concentrates.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Why the price of pot is dropping across Alaska," 20 Apr. 2018
As border guards looked the other way, workers used carts to pull the cargo of metal ore — tungsten, lead, zinc, copper and gold concentrates, all banned from export under United Nations sanctions — across the frozen river.

— New York Times, "Sanctions Are Hurting North Korea. Can They Make Kim Give In?," 20 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of concentrate

see ¹concentrate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1871

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

CONCENTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

concentrate

verb

Definition of concentrate for English Language Learners

: to think about something : to give your attention to the thing you are doing, reading, etc.
: to cause (attention, efforts, strength, etc.) to be used or directed for a single purpose
: to make (something, such as a liquid) stronger by removing water

concentrate

noun

Definition of concentrate for English Language Learners

: a substance that is made stronger or more pure by removing water

CONCENTRATE Defined for Kids

concentrate

verb con·cen·trate \ ˈkän-sən-ˌtrāt \

Definition of concentrate for Students

concentrated; concentrating

1 : to focus thought or attention on something

2 : to bring or come to or direct toward a common center

Moonlight seemed to concentrate upon the highly-polished steel dome …
—Brian Jacques, Redwall

3 : to make stronger or thicker by removing something (as water)

Simmer the sauce to concentrate its flavors.

Medical Dictionary

concentrate

verb con·cen·trate \ ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt, -ˌsen- \

medical Definition of concentrate

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

play \-ˌtrāt-ər\ noun

concentrate

noun

medical Definition of concentrate

: something prepared by concentration; especially : a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid

orange juice concentrate

Learn More about concentrate

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concentrate

Definition of concentrate

concentratedly

concentrative

Examples of concentrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of concentrate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of concentrate

concentrate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

concentrate

Definition of concentrate

Examples of concentrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of concentrate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of concentrate

Other Food Terms

Phrases Related to CONCENTRATE

Related Phrases

CONCENTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

concentrate

Definition of concentrate for English Language Learners

concentrate

Definition of concentrate for English Language Learners

CONCENTRATE Defined for Kids

concentrate

Definition of concentrate for Students

Medical Dictionary

concentrate

medical Definition of concentrate

concentrator

concentrate

medical Definition of concentrate

Learn More about concentrate

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