expectorate

verb

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ex·pec·to·rate | \ ik-ˈspek-tə-ˌrāt

expectorated; expectorating

Definition of expectorate

transitive verb

1 : to eject from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting

2 : spit

intransitive verb

1 : to discharge matter from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting

2 : spit

Other Words from expectorate Example Sentences Learn More About expectorate

Examples of expectorate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Places where people might need to talk loudly, sing, or otherwise expectorate without a mask are seen as riskier than those where everyone can easily wear a mask at all times. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2020 Of course, there’s never been any such game where players young and old didn’t expectorate freely. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 8 May 2020 When Andrei blasts Matvey with a shotgun, blowing apart one of his sofa cushions, which in turn expectorates a bunch of American dollars, those deeper motives becomes obvious. — Glenn Kenny, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020

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