lubricant

noun

lu·bri·cant | \ ˈlü-bri-kənt

Definition of lubricant

1 : a substance (such as grease) capable of reducing friction, heat, and wear when introduced as a film between solid surfaces

2 : something that lessens or prevents friction or difficulty a social lubricant

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Examples of lubricant in a Sentence

The car's axles need more lubricant. using humor as a social lubricant

Recent Examples on the Web But alcohol only works as a disinhibitory lubricant if all parties are drinking. — John Seabrook, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2021 One was thrown a birthday party, where it was given, among other gifts, a can of WD-40 lubricant. — Meghan O'gieblyn, Wired, 24 Aug. 2021 The fridge’s mechanical parts replenish their lubricant by recycling the oil that has pooled in the catchment area. — Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2021 Laughter also acts as a social lubricant, making interactions easier even when there is no humor involved. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2021 But not this fridge, thanks to the lack of the lubricant. — Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2021 Even casually substituting a zinc- or cad-plated bolt or washer for an unplated one calls for, respectively, a 15 or 25 percent reduction in applied torque, because the plating acts as a lubricant. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 21 May 2021 So long as perceptions create reality, and politics trump talent, employees will continue to worry about seeming busy and pretending to work will be as important a career lubricant as work itself. — Tomas Chamorro-premuzic, Forbes, 9 Apr. 2021 If the dipstick calls for additional oil, add a bit, maybe a tablespoon or two of fresh lubricant. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 10 June 2021

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

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Dictionary Entries Near lubricant

lubric

lubricant

lubricate

Statistics for lubricant

Last Updated

3 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Lubricant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lubricant. Accessed 15 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for lubricant

lubricant

noun

English Language Learners Definition of lubricant

: a substance (such as grease or oil) that causes something (such as a machine part) to be slippery and to move more smoothly

: something that makes it easier for people to work or talk with each other

See the full definition for lubricant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

lubricant

noun

lu·bri·cant | \ ˈlü-bri-kənt

Kids Definition of lubricant

: something (as oil or grease) that makes a surface smooth or slippery

lubricant

adjective

lu·bri·cant | \ ˈlü-bri-kənt

Medical Definition of lubricant

(Entry 1 of 2)

: serving to lubricate a surface or part

lubricant

noun

Medical Definition of lubricant (Entry 2 of 2)

: a substance that serves to lubricate a surface or part normally, the intestinal passage requires no artificial lubricant— E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu