tenderize

[ ten-duh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, ten·der·ized, ten·der·iz·ing.

1. to make (meat) tender, as by pounding or by a chemical process or treatment.

tenderize

/ ˈtɛndəˌraɪz /

verb

1. tr to make (meat) tender by pounding it to break down the fibres, by steeping it in a marinade, or by treating it with a tenderizer

Derived Forms

• ˌtenderiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• tender·i·zation noun
• tender·izer noun
• un·tender·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderize¹

First recorded in 1725–35; tender ¹ + -ize

Example Sentences

“The tannins in the tea tenderize the chicken, and the sweetness from the tea and the soy sauce infuse into the chicken,” Biegel added.

From Salon

Clean your octopus, tenderize it, cure it with kosher salt, and chop it into chunks, then add it to the colander and repeat the process.

From Salon

Orlando used heavy pressure to tenderize Tullis-Joyce, totaling 12 shots overall in the first half, the keeper saving five before the break.

From Seattle Times

Rather than marinate the chicken for hours, 30 minutes will boost flavor and tenderize the meat.

From Washington Times

There are no recipes for using a wine cork to cook and tenderize meat, but Beitchman speculated that the hack "might have some mild effect if the meat is ground down really fine."

From Salon

Related Words

• abate
• alleviate
• cushion
• diminish
• dissolve
• ease
• lessen
• lighten
• lower
• mellow
• melt
• mitigate
• moderate
• modify
• relax
• relent
• temper
• thaw
• tone down
• weaken