mate

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈmāt 

mated; mating

transitive verb

: checkmate sense 2

mate

2 of 2

verb (2)

mated; mating

transitive verb

1

archaic : equal, match

2

: to join or fit together : couple

3

a

: to join together as mates

b

: to provide a mate for

intransitive verb

1

: to become mated

gears that mate well

2

: copulate

Synonyms of mate

Verb (2)

• sleep

Examples of mate in a Sentence

Verb (2)

cats conceive almost every time they mate

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The mass release of dud studs elbows out fertile males, preventing them from mating with females, which generally only mate once. —ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026

Darkness is essential to fireflies for mating and increasing their population. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 May 2026

Eventually the couple will fall into vegetation and mate for several hours, according to Leppla. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026

The vaginal pH of female olive baboons decreases, threatening sperm, after a female has mated with a genetically similar male. —Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French mater, from mat, noun, checkmate, ultimately from Arabic māt (in shāh māt)

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing mate

• aerographer's mate
• age-mate
• cell mate
• first mate
• mate for life
• running mate
• soul mate

Rhymes for mate

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

mate

1 of 3 noun

ˈmāt 

1

a

: associate entry 2 sense 1, companion

b

: an assistant worker : helper

plumber's mate

2

: a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain

3

a

: either member of a married couple

b

: one of a breeding pair of animals

a dove and its mate

c

: either of two matched objects

the mate to a glove

mate

2 of 3 verb

mated; mating

1

: to join or fit together

2

a

: to bring or come together as mates

especially : marry entry 1 sense 1

b

: to provide a mate for

3

: copulate

maté

3 of 3 noun

ma·​té

variants or mate

ˈmä-ˌtā 

: a fragrant beverage made from the leaves and shoots of a South American shrub or tree related to the hollies

also : this shrub or tree or its leaves and shoots

Medical Definition

mate

1 of 2 verb

ˈmāt 

mated; mating

transitive verb

: to pair or join for breeding

intransitive verb

: copulate

maté

2 of 2 noun

ma·​té

variants or mate

ˈmä-ˌtā 

1

: an aromatic beverage used chiefly in South America and especially in Paraguay that has stimulant properties like those of coffee

2

: a South American holly (Ilex paraguariensis) whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté

also : these leaves and shoots