lubricant

[ loo-bri-kuhnt ]

noun

1. a substance, as oil or grease, for lessening friction, especially in the working parts of a mechanism.

adjective

1. capable of lubricating; used to lubricate.

lubricant

/ ˈluːbrɪkənt /

noun

1. a lubricating substance, such as oil

adjective

1. serving to lubricate

Other Words From

• non·lubri·cant noun
• un·lubri·cant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubricant¹

1815–25; < Latin lūbricant- (stem of lūbricāns ), present participle of lūbricāre to make slippery. See lubric, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubricant¹

C19: from Latin lūbricāns, present participle of lūbricāre. See lubricate

Example Sentences

“Comedy is the social lubricant that disarms the room in a good way,” Golden notes, “so that this stuff can feel a little more natural of a dating environment. I wanted to create almost a salon or a dinner party that doesn’t exist anymore, where you would show up and already know there are like-minded people.”

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada told the Globe and Mail that the substance was not a petroleum hydrocarbon, petroleum lubricant, biofuel or biodiesel.

From BBC

They also revealed they had uncovered firearms, ammunition and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on Combs's homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March.

From BBC

A search of Combs’ homes in March turned up drugs, guns, and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant his staff would stock in hotel rooms for the freak offs, according to the indictment.

From Los Angeles Times

The lubrication comment is in reference to the reveal on Tuesday that Homeland Security seized more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant from Combs' estates during the raids earlier this year.

From Salon

Related Words

• coating