masticate

[ mas-ti-keyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, mas·ti·cat·ed, mas·ti·cat·ing.

1. to chew.
2. to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.

masticate

/ ˈmæstɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to chew (food)
2. to reduce (materials such as rubber) to a pulp by crushing, grinding, or kneading

Derived Forms

• ˌmastiˈcation, noun
• ˈmastiˌcator, noun
• ˈmasticable, adjective

Other Words From

• mas·ti·ca·ble [mas, -ti-k, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• mas·ti·ca·tion [mas-ti-, key, -sh, uh, n] noun
• mas·ti·ca·tor noun
• half-mas·ti·cat·ed adjective
• re·mas·ti·cate verb remasticated remasticating
• un·mas·ti·cat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of masticate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin masticātus, past participle of masticāre “to chew”; mastic, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of masticate¹

C17: from Late Latin masticāre, from Greek mastikhan to grind the teeth

Example Sentences

Peltz’s decades-long record gave them plenty to masticate.

From Los Angeles Times

“Do you enjoy listening to people when they masticate?”

From New York Times

Our English word “masticate” derives from the Greek name of the plant, which comes from the ancient Greek verb meaning “to chew.”

From Washington Post

And dogs have been known to yap and masticate their displeasure.

From Washington Post

But through all that, if you were still able to masticate your potato chips in quiet concentration, you may have heard the American Dream itself pulsing in a space where it will always be allowed to live: inside a pop song.

From Washington Post