mas·ti·cate
ˈma-stə-ˌkāt 
masticated; masticating
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
mas·ti·ca·tor
plural -s
: one that masticates: such as
a
: a machine for chopping materials (as meat or rubber) into fine bits
b
: an operator of such a machine
Examples of masticate in a Sentence
Verb
The cows were masticating their food.
mindlessly masticated peanuts while watching the baseball game on TV
Recent Examples on the Web
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
At 15 inches tall, the J3 is among the few true masticating juicers that can tuck under a standard American kitchen cabinet.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 Jan. 2026
As a slow, masticating machine, the J2 spins at just 50 RPM, powerfully squeezing out every last drop.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The fruit should not be eaten whole but can be masticated or sucked for its juice, after which its pulp should be discarded.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Nov. 2025
Plus centrifugal juicers produce watery or less healthy juices than masticating/slow juicers.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
But the Republicans masticated the issue endlessly Monday nonetheless.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024
The opening sequence, where McGuigan shamelessly apes Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, is reasonably entertaining, and McAvoy masticates the scenery with a winking fervor that befits the project, but the whole thing is unforgivably half-baked.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2021
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Verb
Which masticating juicer is Cold press juicers slowly crush and press fruits and vegetables, producing a high yield of juice that tastes great and retains the bulk of its nutrients.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
At 15 inches tall, the J3 is among the few true masticating juicers that can tuck under a standard American kitchen cabinet.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 Jan. 2026
As a slow, masticating machine, the J2 spins at just 50 RPM, powerfully squeezing out every last drop.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The fruit should not be eaten whole but can be masticated or sucked for its juice, after which its pulp should be discarded.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Nov. 2025
Plus centrifugal juicers produce watery or less healthy juices than masticating/slow juicers.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
But the Republicans masticated the issue endlessly Monday nonetheless.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024
The opening sequence, where McGuigan shamelessly apes Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, is reasonably entertaining, and McAvoy masticates the scenery with a winking fervor that befits the project, but the whole thing is unforgivably half-baked.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Masticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masticate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
masticate
verb
mas·ti·cate
ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt
masticated; masticating
: to grind or crush with the teeth before swallowing : chew
Medical Definition
masticate
verb
mas·ti·cate
ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt
masticated; masticating
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
: to make the motions involved in masticating food
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