lozenge

noun

loz·​enge ˈlä-zᵊnj How to pronounce lozenge (audio)
 also  -sᵊnj
1
: a figure with four equal sides and two acute and two obtuse angles : diamond
2
: something shaped like a lozenge
3
: a small usually sweetened and flavored medicated material that is designed to be held in the mouth for slow dissolution
especially : one that contains a demulcent
sore throat lozenges

called also pastille, troche

Example Sentences

take one of these lozenges for your cold
Recent Examples on the Web In 2020, the American artist Sarah Slappey, 39, exhibited a series of surreal canvases in which disembodied arms, creamy lozenges and liquid tendrils collide with petal pink breasts resembling long balloons, complete with puffy areolas and noodle-like, upturned nipples. Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 16 May 2023 The bracelet design couldn’t be simpler: a slim silicone strap fastens on your wrist—a little above the wrist bone is recommended for most accurate readings—and under the strap, pressed against the flat part of the top of your wrist, is the lozenge of tech that does the readings. David Phelan, Forbes, 17 May 2022 Don’t swallow or chew the lozenge. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022 Don’t forget the zinc lozenges. Joe And Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 4 Apr. 2023 The counselor placed a ketamine lozenge under MacLean’s tongue (the drug is administered as an injection in the U. S.) and MacLean closed his eyes. Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Men's Health, 24 Mar. 2023 Since last summer earth movers have been crawling over a lozenge of land near the Prada Foundation, an art gallery converted from an early 20th Century distillery. Carlton Reid, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2023 For example, cancer patients who have terrible pain may experience relief with a fentanyl patch or lozenge. Katia Hetter, CNN, 23 Mar. 2023 Square motifs were knitted horizontally and vertically — hitting a high on a stretchy green gown with a stretch lozenge shaped front. Thomas Adamson, ajc, 3 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lozenge.' 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

Middle English losenge, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lozenge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lozenge

Cite this Entry

“Lozenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lozenge. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

lozenge

noun
loz·​enge ˈläz-ᵊnj How to pronounce lozenge (audio)
1
: a diamond-shaped figure
2
a
: something shaped like a lozenge
b
: a small disk or tablet that usually contains medicine

Medical Definition

lozenge

noun
loz·​enge ˈläz-ᵊnj How to pronounce lozenge (audio)
: a small usually sweetened solid piece of medicated material of any of various shapes that is designed to be held in the mouth for slow dissolution and often contains a demulcent
sore throat lozenges

called also pastille, troche

More from Merriam-Webster on lozenge

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