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masticate

verb
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mas·​ti·​cate | \ ˈma-stə-ˌkāt How to pronounce masticate (audio) \
masticated; masticating

Definition of masticate

transitive verb

1 : to grind or crush (food) with or as if with the teeth : chew The cows were masticating their food.
2 : to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading

intransitive verb

: chew
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Other Words from masticate

mastication \ ˌma-​stə-​ˈkā-​shən How to pronounce mastication (audio) \ noun
masticator \ ˈma-​stə-​ˌkā-​tər How to pronounce masticator (audio) \ noun

Examples of masticate in a Sentence

The cows were masticating their food. mindlessly masticated peanuts while watching the baseball game on TV
Recent Examples on the Web For archaeologists, the sticky stuff’s longevity can help piece together the lives of ancient peoples who masticated on the chewy tar. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian, "Human Genome Recovered From 5,700-Year-Old Chewing Gum," 17 Dec. 2019 The grass here looks good enough to eat—and indeed there are bushy, red Salers cattle masticating everywhere. — Stephen Heyman, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Road Trip Through Auvergne’s Natural Wineries and Charming Bistros," 11 Nov. 2019 That’s a lot to chew on, and Rushdie masticates it with his usual maximalist exuberance. — BostonGlobe.com, "Salman Rushdie’s ‘Quichotte’ reroutes a legendary journey through the 21st century - The Boston Globe," 13 Sep. 2019 Our teeth and gut weren't designed to masticate and digest real food, no sirree. — Christine Lennon, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Hunger Games," 11 June 2012 Shortly after this piece publishes, a host of my McWopKraut kin will be masticating dehydrated meals on Rainier’s mighty shoulders. — Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, "I Was the First! (And Probably the Only)," 24 Apr. 2018 A lyrist playing to a herd of cows masticating their own ignorance, Bella often thought. — Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, "A Small Flame," 8 May 2017

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

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First Known Use of masticate

1562, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for masticate

Late Latin masticatus, past participle of masticare, from Greek mastichan to gnash the teeth; akin to Greek masasthai to chew — more at mandible

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Time Traveler for masticate

Time Traveler

The first known use of masticate was in 1562

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Cite this Entry

“Masticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masticate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2020.

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More Definitions for masticate

masticate

verb
How to pronounce masticate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of masticate

technical : to chew (food)

See the full definition for masticate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

masticate

verb
mas·​ti·​cate | \ ˈma-stə-ˌkāt How to pronounce masticate (audio) \
masticated; masticating

Kids Definition of masticate

: chew entry 1

masticate

verb
mas·​ti·​cate | \ ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt How to pronounce masticate (audio) \
masticated; masticating

Medical Definition of masticate

transitive verb

1 : to grind, crush, and chew (food) with or as if with the teeth in preparation for swallowing
2 : to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading

intransitive verb

: to make the motions involved in masticating food

Other Words from masticate

mastication \ ˌmas-​tə-​ˈkā-​shən How to pronounce mastication (audio) \ noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on masticate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for masticate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with masticate

Spanish Central: Translation of masticate

Nglish: Translation of masticate for Spanish Speakers

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