chicle

[ chik-uhl ]

noun

1. a gumlike substance obtained from the latex of certain tropical American trees, as the sapodilla, used chiefly in the manufacture of chewing gum.

chicle

/ ˈtʃɪkəl /

noun

1. a gumlike substance obtained from the sapodilla; the main ingredient of chewing gum Also calledchicle gum

Word History and Origins

Origin of chicle¹

1860–65, Americanism; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl tzictli

Word History and Origins

Origin of chicle¹

from Spanish, from Nahuatl chictli

Example Sentences

Simply – which makes gum from a type of tree sap called chicle instead of synthetic ingredients – has seen its sales double every year since 2021 without raising prices, Proschan said.

From Seattle Times

Eventually, Don Pancho started leading hunts for wealthy foreigners through the Safari Club International, he said, mostly Americans working for the chewing gum companies that would come to Calakmul to harvest chicle from the jungle.

From New York Times

“The Maya invented chewing gum — which they called ‘chicle,’ meaning ‘moving mouth.’

From Washington Post

Choose better gum: Chewing gum, once made from chicle derived from sapodilla trees, long ago changed.

From Los Angeles Times

While imprisoned in the US, Santa Anna chewed chicle to calm his nerves.

From The Guardian