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

Nothing replaces the way the two-piece mortar and pestle can crush spices, grind pesto or other herbal sauces, or smash nuts for a crispy topping. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

Here, the four of us learned how to make authentic guacamole using a molcajete—a traditional Mayan pestle and mortar carved from volcanic stone, which infuses the avocado dip with a smoky, aromatic flavor. — Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Archaeologists found the older man with a ring on his left pinkie, 10 bronze coins, a ceramic lamp, and a terracotta mortar, the bowl used with a pestle to mash ingredients. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 18 June 2026

One of my favorite side dishes starts by rehydrating them, then pounding them in a mortar and pestle to release all that concentrated flavor. — Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2026

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