ruminate

verb

ru·​mi·​nate ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce ruminate (audio)
ruminated; ruminating

transitive verb

1
: to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2
: to chew repeatedly for an extended period

intransitive verb

1
: to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud
2
: to engage in contemplation : reflect
rumination noun
ruminative adjective
ruminatively adverb
ruminator noun

Did you know?

When you ruminate, you chew something over, either literally or figuratively. Literal rumination may seem a little gross to humans, but to cows, chewing your cud (that's partially digested food brought up from the stomach for another chew) is just a natural part of life. Figurative ruminating is much more palatable to humans; that kind of deep, meditative thought is often deemed quite a worthy activity. The verb ruminate has described metaphorical chewing over since the early 1500s and actual chewing since later that same century. Our English word derives from and shares the meanings of the Latin ruminari, which in turn derives from rumen, the Latin name for the first stomach compartment of ruminant animals (that is, creatures like cows that chew their cud).

Choose the Right Synonym for ruminate

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately.

ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

Examples of ruminate in a Sentence

The question got us ruminating on the real value of wealth. He ruminated over the implications of their decision.
Recent Examples on the Web Trump has ruminated about several Black men as potential vice-presidential candidates, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former housing and urban development secretary Ben Carson, according to people who have spoken to him. Marianne Levine, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 While getting ready for her close up in her trailer, the mother of Paris and Nicky Hilton ruminated about her sister's separation. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 In severe depression and anxiety, there is often a cycle of ruminating negative thoughts. Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 As New York’s biggest week in fashion wraps, our team has ruminated on what stood out to them most. Essence, 16 Feb. 2024 Just as violence was erupting in Julia’s home on Jan. 3, 2022, another veteran sat alone in his dark bedroom, not far away, ruminating. Kathleen McGrory, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2024 But, the team wondered, were the reindeer really getting the benefits of sleep while ruminating? Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Dec. 2023 Complete with a live orchestra accompanying him, Joel serenaded the crowd with his latest romantic ballad, which ruminates on the possibility of repairing a flawed relationship. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 5 Feb. 2024 Sasso not so much, who ruminates on the surreal lifelessness of the performance. Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruminate.' 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

Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, from rumin-, rumen rumen; perhaps akin to Sanskrit romantha act of chewing the cud

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruminate was in 1533

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Dictionary Entries Near ruminate

Cite this Entry

“Ruminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruminate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ruminate

verb
ru·​mi·​nate ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce ruminate (audio)
ruminated; ruminating
1
: to spend time thinking : meditate
2
: to chew the cud : bring up and chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed
rumination noun

Medical Definition

ruminate

intransitive verb
ru·​mi·​nate ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce ruminate (audio)
ruminated; ruminating
1
: to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud
2
: to engage in contemplation

More from Merriam-Webster on ruminate

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