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

Secure an assortment of pestles to a board with a drill, and dress up the pestles with ribbons. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 2025

In a mortar and pestle, mash the anchovies and garlic into a paste. —Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025

Learn the art of making the perfect guacamole with a stone molcajete (traditional mortar and pestle) and zesty red and green salsas. —AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025

My technique with my dog is to grind the pill with a mortar and pestle until it is broken down, like fine sand. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 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