pestle

1 of 2

noun

pes·​tle ˈpe-səl  ˈpes-tᵊl 

1

: a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar see mortar illustration

2

: any of various devices for pounding, stamping, or pressing

Illustration of pestle

• pestle 1 (with mortar)

pestle

2 of 2

verb

pestled; pestling ˈpe-s(ə-)liŋ 

ˈpes-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

archaic

: to beat, pound, or pulverize with or as if with a pestle

intransitive verb

: to work with a pestle : use a pestle

Examples of pestle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Though the work of making the spice paste is traditionally done in a mortar and pestle, blitzing the ingredients in a food processor saves a significant amount of time. —Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025

Add the garlic and chiles to the bowl 3: Crush the sea salt lightly in a small molcajete or with a mortar and pestle; add to the mixture. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

Grind x1 Elderberry Leaves with mortar and pestle and add. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

The original pesto made from garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves was made using a mortar and pestle. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pestel, from Anglo-French, from Latin pistillum, from pinsere to pound, crush; akin to Greek ptissein to crush, Sanskrit pinaṣṭi he pounds

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for pestle

• cresol
• decile
• nestle
• sessile
• trestle
• vessel
• wessel
• wrestle
• subsessile

Kids Definition

pestle

noun

pes·​tle

ˈpes-əl,

ˈpes-tᵊl

: a usually club-shaped tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar

Medical Definition

pestle

noun

pes·​tle

ˈpes-əl also ˈpes-tᵊl

: a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar