masseter

noun

mas·​se·​ter mə-ˈsē-tər How to pronounce masseter (audio)
ma-
: a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication
masseteric adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web What are the benefits of masseter Botox? Tori Crowther, Allure, 15 Mar. 2023 Set the big roller against your masseter muscles and go to town. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 26 Oct. 2022 In the years since, researchers have also discovered that the injections, which temporarily paralyze the masseter muscles responsible for grinding and clenching, can reduce the frequency and intensity of bruxism. Ali Francis, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2022 For injection sites, botulinum toxin is usually used on the upper part of the face — forehead, brows, 11s — but also can be used elsewhere, like the masseter muscles (aka TMJ Botox) or above the lip for a Lip Flip. Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 21 Sep. 2022 First, a crash course in masseter Botox for the uninitiated. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 22 June 2022 Injecting Botox into the masseter muscle, which connects your cheekbone to your lower jaw bone, temporarily paralyzes the muscle and can relieve tension headaches and other jaw pain. Taylore Glynn, Marie Claire, 12 Sep. 2021 It's been much longer than two weeks since my last round of injectables; in fact, everything has since dissolved since my most recent sessions of cheek filler and masseter Botox. Sarah Wu, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2020 Austin-Dright said the pellet lodged in the masseter muscle and that her son cannot open his jaw. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'masseter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek masētēr, from masasthai to chew — more at mandible

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masseter was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near masseter

Cite this Entry

“Masseter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masseter. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

masseter

noun
mas·​se·​ter mə-ˈsēt-ər, ma- How to pronounce masseter (audio)
: a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication, arises from the zygomatic arch and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, and is inserted into the mandibular ramus and gonial angle
masseteric adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on masseter

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