quench

verb

quenched; quenching; quenches

transitive verb

1
b
: to put out the light or fire of
quench glowing coals with water
c
: to cool (something, such as heated metal) suddenly by immersion (as in oil or water)
d
: to cause to lose heat or warmth
you have quenched the warmth of France toward youAlfred Tennyson
2
a
: to bring (something immaterial) to an end typically by satisfying, damping, cooling, or decreasing
a rational understanding of the laws of nature can quench impossible desiresLucius Garvin
the praise that quenches all desire to read the bookT. S. Eliot
b
: to terminate by or as if by destroying : eliminate
the Commonwealth party quenched a whole generation of play-actingMargery Bailey
quench a rebellion
c
: to relieve or satisfy with liquid
quenched his thirst at a wayside spring

intransitive verb

1
: to become extinguished : cool
2
: to become calm : subside
quenchable adjective
quencher noun
quenchless adjective

Examples of quench in a Sentence

we thoroughly quenched the campfire before we headed to bed this lemonade really quenches my thirst
Recent Examples on the Web In the Gut’s ‘Second Brain,’ Key Agents of Health Emerge Why the First Drawings of Neurons Were Defaced The daunting work that lies ahead can’t quench researchers’ exhilaration over the current atlases. Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023 When you're parched in the wilderness, Jared Leto is (apparently) here to quench your thirst. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 30 Aug. 2023 The fire department had been unable to quench the fire until the utility, which owns the malfunctioning cables, gave them the go-ahead. Richard Brookhiser, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 While the cocktail's beginnings may be murky, a Chilton sounds like just the drink to quench your thirst after a sunny day on the golf course or the tennis court. Brennan Long, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2023 Either way, knowing the right products to secure your protective style, while also quenching your natural hair’s moisture is the key to professional wig care this season. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 7 Dec. 2023 Progress Park hums with advanced manufacturing for major automotive brands and enough Gatorade production to quench thirsts across the East Coast. Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2023 When a young man tries to quench its thirst, the water dribbles out of a hole in its neck. Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 Eventually her curiosity must be quenched by experience. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quench.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -cwencan; akin to Old English -cwincan to vanish, Old Frisian quinka

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of quench was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near quench

Cite this Entry

“Quench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quench. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quench

verb
1
: extinguish sense 1
quench a fire
2
: to bring to an end
3
: satisfy sense 2b
quench your thirst
quenchable adjective
quencher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on quench

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