knead

1 of 2

verb

ˈnēd 

kneaded; kneading; kneads

transitive verb

1

a

: to work and press into a mass with or as if with the hands

kneading dough

b

: to manipulate or massage with a kneading motion

kneaded sore neck muscles

2

: to form or shape by or as if by kneading

kneadable

ˈnē-də-bəl 

adjective

kneader noun

kneader

2 of 2

noun

knead·​er

ˈnēdə(r)

plural -s

: one that kneads

Examples of knead in a Sentence

Verb

Knead the dough until it is smooth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This includes kneading dense bread dough for long periods, making seitan or mixing firm cookie doughs. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

The kit comes with everything needed to get started on your sourdough journey, from making the starter to kneading your first batch of dough. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Nov. 2026

Toss with a fork or your hands to distribute, then knead in bowl a couple of times to bring dough together (some dry bits may remain). — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026

To make New York-style bagels like George’s, the dough is churned in a mixer, kneaded by hand, and cold-fermented. — HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English kneden, from Old English cnedan; akin to Old High German knetan to knead

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for knead

• bead
• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• creed
• deed
• feed
• freed
• greed
• heed
• keyed

Kids Definition

knead

verb

ˈnēd 

1

: to work and press into a mass with or as if with the hands

2

: to treat as if by kneading : massage

kneader noun