1
: used for or adapted to chewing
masticatory limbs of an arthropod
2
: of, relating to, or involving the organs of mastication
masticatory paralysis
Examples of masticatory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
What Causes Lockjaw? Lockjaw happens when the masticatory muscles (muscles involved in chewing) spasm.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Aug. 2025
But earlier this year, anthropologist Nathan Holton and his University of Iowa colleagues published a paper disputing the masticatory hypothesis.
—Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
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Adjective
Social media influencers may claim otherwise because gum chewing does strengthen certain masticatory muscles – particularly the masseter, tongue and cheek muscles – which can improve bite force and chewing performance.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
What Causes Lockjaw? Lockjaw happens when the masticatory muscles (muscles involved in chewing) spasm.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Aug. 2025
But earlier this year, anthropologist Nathan Holton and his University of Iowa colleagues published a paper disputing the masticatory hypothesis.
—Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Masticatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masticatory. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
masticatory
1 of 2 adjective
mas·ti·ca·to·ry
ˈmas-ti-kə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 
1
: used for or adapted to chewing
the masticatory muscles
2
: of, relating to, or involving the organs of mastication
masticatory paralysis
masticatory
2 of 2 noun
plural masticatories
: a substance chewed to increase saliva
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