con·cen·trate
ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt 
-ˌsen-
concentrated; concentrating
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
1
: to draw toward or meet in a common center
3
: to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
concentrate on a problem
Farmers are concentrating on the wheat harvest.
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
Synonyms
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
Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Nijjar was a prominent activist who called for Sikhs—a religious group mostly concentrated in northern India—to break away from New Delhi and form an independent nation.
—Daniel Block, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2023
That is a lot of lithium concentrated into these clay minerals.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
The Midwest states where auto plants are traditionally concentrated, including Michigan, are expected to be key battlegrounds in the 2024 election.
—Gerrit De Vynck and Lauren Kaori Gurley, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2023
So for the months ahead, Milley concentrated on only his vast military responsibilities -- but then came election day, January 6th -- and Trump’s refusal to accept the outcome of the election.
—ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023
Coffey and other critics contend the burden of caring for people struggling with homelessness and addiction should be spread throughout the state, rather than concentrated in Boston.
—Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
The Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker makes the best tasting cold brew concentrate with zero hassle.
—Nick Guy, wsj.com, 16 Sep. 2023
The firms’ strong support of ESG investing in recent years has led some financial advisory firms and a segment of the public to question whether financial institutions should concentrate on financial performance rather than other considerations.
—Bob Rubin, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2023
Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023
The sweetener is monk fruit concentrate, which may be a plus for people looking for a sweetener that doesn’t contribute any sugar but not all may like the taste.
—Willow Jarosh, Ms, Rd, Health, 22 Aug. 2023
Each bottle of this travel-friendly concentrate is TSA-friendly.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
Comparing Delta 8 Live Resin and Other Concentrates Delta 8 live resin is a unique concentrate that sets itself apart from other concentrates in terms of cannabinoid composition, flavor profile, and effects.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2023
Teas and powders made from the natural leaf material are akin to beer, whereas extracts and concentrates are much more potent, like Everclear.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 3 Aug. 2023
The star ingredient is frozen limeade concentrate, which provides the perfect amount of tartness.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 20 July 2023
Images show several food trays containing what appeared to be shatter, a glass-like THC concentrate.
—Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 26 June 2023
From edibles to concentrates, each brand pushed the boundaries of innovation, shaping the industry's future.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2023
See More
Verb
Until there is certainty about the budget, concentrate on essential expenses until the crisis has passed.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Nijjar was a prominent activist who called for Sikhs—a religious group mostly concentrated in northern India—to break away from New Delhi and form an independent nation.
—Daniel Block, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2023
That is a lot of lithium concentrated into these clay minerals.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
The Midwest states where auto plants are traditionally concentrated, including Michigan, are expected to be key battlegrounds in the 2024 election.
—Gerrit De Vynck and Lauren Kaori Gurley, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2023
So for the months ahead, Milley concentrated on only his vast military responsibilities -- but then came election day, January 6th -- and Trump’s refusal to accept the outcome of the election.
—ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023
Coffey and other critics contend the burden of caring for people struggling with homelessness and addiction should be spread throughout the state, rather than concentrated in Boston.
—Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
The Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker makes the best tasting cold brew concentrate with zero hassle.
—Nick Guy, wsj.com, 16 Sep. 2023
The firms’ strong support of ESG investing in recent years has led some financial advisory firms and a segment of the public to question whether financial institutions should concentrate on financial performance rather than other considerations.
—Bob Rubin, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2023
Noun
The 2022 second-round pick is accused of possessing less than 1 gram of THC, an extractable active ingredient found in marijuana and often used as a concentrate, a Frisco police spokesperson said.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023
The sweetener is monk fruit concentrate, which may be a plus for people looking for a sweetener that doesn’t contribute any sugar but not all may like the taste.
—Willow Jarosh, Ms, Rd, Health, 22 Aug. 2023
Each bottle of this travel-friendly concentrate is TSA-friendly.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
Comparing Delta 8 Live Resin and Other Concentrates Delta 8 live resin is a unique concentrate that sets itself apart from other concentrates in terms of cannabinoid composition, flavor profile, and effects.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2023
Teas and powders made from the natural leaf material are akin to beer, whereas extracts and concentrates are much more potent, like Everclear.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 3 Aug. 2023
The star ingredient is frozen limeade concentrate, which provides the perfect amount of tartness.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 20 July 2023
Images show several food trays containing what appeared to be shatter, a glass-like THC concentrate.
—Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 26 June 2023
From edibles to concentrates, each brand pushed the boundaries of innovation, shaping the industry's future.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concentrate.' 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
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
Phrases Containing concentrate
Dictionary Entries Near concentrate
Cite this Entry
“Concentrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concentrate. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
concentrate
1 of 2 verb
con·cen·trate
ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt
-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
noun
-ˌtrāt-ər
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-
concentrated; concentrating
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
: to fix one's powers, efforts, or attention on one thing
concentrate on a problem
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
Nglish: Translation of concentrate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of concentrate for Arabic Speakers
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