lubricant

noun

lu·​bri·​cant ˈlü-bri-kənt How to pronounce lubricant (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An off-normal reading—say, lubricant temperature creeping up—triggers a work order automatically. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025 The lack of natural lubrication typically promotes the use of a lubricant, water-, silicone- or oil-based versions. Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025 Their process uses an inexpensive catalyst that selectively breaks down the most common single-use kind of plastics into liquid oils and waxes that can be upcycled into lubricants and fuels. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025 Massive lava beds resting on loosely consolidated volcanic debris can be unstable, and the presence of water often acts as a lubricant, triggering landslides and debris flows. David Bressan, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lubricant

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lubricant was circa 1828

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lubricant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lubricant. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

lubricant

noun
lu·​bri·​cant ˈlü-bri-kənt How to pronounce lubricant (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce lubricant (audio)
: 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 lubricantE. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

More from Merriam-Webster on lubricant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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