pestle

American  

[pes-uhl, pes-tl] / ˈpɛs əl, ˈpɛs tl /

noun

1. a tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar.

2. any of various appliances for pounding, stamping, etc.

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verb (used with object)

pestled, pestling

1. to pound or grind with or as if with a pestle.

verb (used without object)

pestled, pestling

1. to work with a pestle.

pestle British  

/ ˈpɛsəl /

noun

1. a club-shaped instrument for mixing or grinding substances in a mortar

2. a tool for pounding or stamping

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verb

1. to pound (a substance or object) with or as if with a pestle

Etymology

Origin of pestle

1300–50; Middle English pestel < Middle French < Latin pistillum, derivative of pistus, past participle of pīnsere to pound, crush

Example Sentences

Traditionally, pesto was made using a mortar and pestle, though a blender or food processor gets the job done just fine today.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2025

A few had tooth structures that acted like a mortar and pestle and were able to grind in addition to just cutting.

From Science Daily • Oct. 5, 2023

In a perfect pesto world, that frozen sauce is homemade — a mix of tiny-leafed Genovese basil, Italian pine nuts and good olive oil that you’ve pounded by hand with a mortar and pestle.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 30, 2023

The mortar and pestle of the fashion industry is here to grind your Pinterest board and your Etsy wish lists into the paste of “the next big thing.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2023

“There’s something funny, though,” said Hermione ten minutes later, holding her pestle suspended over a bowl of scarab beetles.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• grate
• pulverize
• reduce
• scrape