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

Examples of masseter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Companies that sell rock-hard chewing gum claim the extra force will work out the masseter muscles that run from the cheekbone to the lower jawbone. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024 When Carillo put his fingers in my mouth to get at my masseter muscles, my eyes rolled back. Annie Blay, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024 There are four Botox injections total, two on each side, directed straight into your masseter jaw muscles. Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2023 Also, the masseter pulls the jaw up and down for chewing. Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2023 Next up: Would all of this chewing start to bulk up my masseter muscle? Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023 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

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 9 Oct. 2024.

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

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