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

FedEx added 20%, 25%, and 125% tariffs on various parts of the order, which included a collection of keycaps, $14 worth of keyboard lubricant, a cable, and free items Osume had bundled with the order, including a calendar. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2025

Prosecutors have said that when Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida, were raided last year, federal agents seized more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. —Adam Reiss, NBC news, 5 May 2025

Authorities in March 2024 seized more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant during searches of Combs' residences in Miami and Los Angeles, prosecutors said. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025

There’s no lubricant needed for the mechanism, so it’s sealed, maintenance-free, and designed to operate reliably over time. —Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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