masticate

verb

mas·​ti·​cate ˈma-stə-ˌkāt How to pronounce masticate (audio)
masticated; masticating
Synonyms of masticatenext

transitive verb

1
: to grind or crush (food) with or as if with the teeth : chew
The cows were masticating their food.
2
: to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading

intransitive verb

: chew
mastication
ˌma-stə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce masticate (audio)
noun
masticator
ˈma-stə-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce masticate (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of masticate in a Sentence

The cows were masticating their food. mindlessly masticated peanuts while watching the baseball game on TV
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plus centrifugal juicers produce watery or less healthy juices than masticating/slow juicers. — Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025 But the Republicans masticated the issue endlessly Monday nonetheless. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin masticatus, past participle of masticare, from Greek mastichan to gnash the teeth; akin to Greek masasthai to chew — more at mandible

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of masticate was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

mastic
masticate
masticatory
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masticate. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

masticate

verb
mas·​ti·​cate ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt How to pronounce masticate (audio)
masticated; masticating
: to grind or crush with the teeth before swallowing : chew
mastication
ˌmas-tə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce masticate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

masticate

verb
mas·​ti·​cate ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt How to pronounce masticate (audio)
masticated; masticating

transitive verb

1
: to grind, crush, and chew (food) with or as if with the teeth in preparation for swallowing
2
: to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading

intransitive verb

: to make the motions involved in masticating food
mastication
ˌmas-tə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce masticate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on masticate

Nglish: Translation of masticate for Spanish Speakers

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