lubricate

verb

lu·bri·cate | \ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt

lubricated; lubricating

Definition of lubricate

transitive verb

1 : to make smooth or slippery

2 : to apply a lubricant to

intransitive verb

: to act as a lubricant

Other Words from lubricate Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about lubricate

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Other Words from lubricate

lubrication \ ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən

\ noun

lubricative \ ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tiv

\ adjective

lubricator \ ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tər

\ noun

Synonyms for lubricate

Synonyms

grease, oil, slick, wax

Examples of lubricate in a Sentence

it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance

Recent Examples on the Web

Weird but true: Dogs lower intestinal tract glands produce a clear, jelly-like slime to lubricate the colon and help stool pass more easily. — Marygrace Taylor, Good Housekeeping, "6 Things Your Dog's Poop Can Tell You About Its Health," 11 July 2018 To reach the prostate, lubricate a finger and gently put it up the man's rectum. — Redbook, "33 Sexy Places to Touch Your Guy," 30 Oct. 2017 That’s federal interest in data, but such interest also lubricates hardware and launch. — Sarah Scoles, WIRED, "It's Business Time for Rocket Lab, Launcher of Small Satellites," 22 June 2018 But his conversations with his interlocutors — searching, spiraling, well lubricated with wine — answer a separate question very decisively. — Parul Sehgal, New York Times, "Essays That Make Sense of the Infinite and the Infinitesimal," 15 May 2018 To lubricate the slipknot, Brazile uses baby powder. — Melissa Lyttle, Smithsonian, "The First Family of Rodeo," 13 Dec. 2017 Water transports nutrients, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints and internal organs, supports the structure of cells and tissues and preserves cardiovascular function. — New York Times, "How to Meet Your Body’s Water Needs," 9 July 2018 Phoenix had originally acquired the selection through the 2014 Goran Dragic trade, one of myriad deals that have showcased the value future picks can have when lubricating trade discussions for All-Stars and MVP candidates. — Jake Fischer, SI.com, "From War Rooms to the Green Room: Behind the Scenes of Thursday's No. 16 Pick Chaos," 23 June 2018 Total body booster Movement keeps your joints lubricated and improves circulation. — Philly.com, "3 exercises for beating the afternoon slump," 24 Apr. 2018

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