knead

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

Examples of knead in a Sentence

Knead the dough until it is smooth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Increase speed to medium; knead until dough is smooth and elastic, but still slightly tacky to the touch, 6 to 8 minutes. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025

Rolling sushi in Tokyo or kneading dough for fresh pasta in Tuscany transforms you from tourist to student, giving you skills and stories to bring home. —Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025

Stir in 1 cup of the flour, then knead in the remaining ½ cup. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 9 Dec. 2025

Use a spatula to mix until the dough is shaggy, then turn the mixer onto low to knead for 1 minute, or until the dough begins to come together. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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