lubricant

noun

lu·​bri·​cant ˈlü-bri-kənt 

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

lubricant adjective

Examples of lubricant in a Sentence

The car's axles need more lubricant.

using humor as a social lubricant

Recent Examples on the Web

If the potential mess of petroleum jelly deters you, here are some other easy ways to fix a stuck zipper: Pencil Graphite: Rub the graphite tip of a pencil along the zipper teeth to act as a dry lubricant, helping to reduce friction and loosen the zipper. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

In one shocking incident, the FAA saw Spirit mechanics applying liquid Dawn soap to a door seal as a lubricant. —Alan Murray, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024

It’s also used in a variety of products including lubricants, dyes, detergents and drugs. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024

Investing more than 21,000 man hours a year from more than 50 technical staff, Shell provides race fuels like the Shell V-Power fuel and lubricants like the low viscosity engine oil Shell Helix Ultra to propel Scuderia Ferrari. —Michael Loré, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Those include battery materials for EVs, refrigerants for heat pumps, epoxy, polyurethane, and lubricants for wind turbines, and solvents for semiconductors. —Susan Galer, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

The switches also use different lubricant, which Cherry says reduces spring noise and produces smoother actuation. —PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2024

Subsequent investigations have revealed further concerning safety measures, such as using Dawn dish soap as lubricant. —Elizabeth Blackstock / Jalopnik, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024

At one point, the agency observed a Spirit mechanic apply liquid soap to a door seal as a lubricant. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

lubric(ate) + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lubricant

noun

lu·​bri·​cant ˈlü-bri-kənt 

: something (as a grease or oil) capable of reducing friction when applied between moving parts

lubricant adjective

Medical Definition

lubricant

1 of 2 adjective

lu·​bri·​cant ˈlü-bri-kənt 

: serving to lubricate a surface or part

lubricant

2 of 2 noun

: a substance that serves to lubricate a surface or part

normally, the intestinal passage requires no artificial lubricant

—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu