ruminate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to chew again or over and over.
-
to meditate on; ponder.
verb
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(of ruminants) to chew (the cud)
-
to meditate or ponder (upon)
Usage
What does ruminate mean? To ruminate is to carefully think something over, ponder it, or meditate on it.It can also mean to chew over and over again, as is done by ruminant animals, like cows.In psychology, the term means to obsessively repeat thoughts or excessively think about problems.In all cases, the process of ruminating is called rumination.Example: After ruminating about it for months, I have decided to pursue a new career.
Other Word Forms
- nonruminating adjective
- nonruminatingly adverb
- nonruminative adjective
- ruminatingly adverb
- rumination noun
- ruminative adjective
- ruminatively adverb
- ruminator noun
- unruminated adjective
- unruminating adjective
- unruminatingly adverb
- unruminative adjective
Etymology
Origin of ruminate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin rūminātus (past participle of rūminārī, rūmināre “to ruminate”), equivalent to rūmin- (stem of rūmen “throat, gullet”; rumen ) + -ātus past participle suffix ( -ate 1 )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I wonder if the Ancient Mariner in his latter days got really tired of rehearsing his old trauma,” she ruminated in an essay.
“Musica mexicana has always been there, will always be there and we are going to keep uplifting it,” said the Chihuahua-born singer ahead of his performance, ruminating on what he brought to the genre.
From Los Angeles Times
And instead of ruminating on the weight of that inheritance, he integrates it into his film, whose refrain-as-question is do you remember the future?
From Los Angeles Times
Of course, some anger and frustration will come out during these talks, but long-term wallowing and ruminating on perceived unfairness can be more damaging than the layoff itself.
From MarketWatch
And areas of the brain linked with "ruminating on negative thoughts" are less active when looking at, or being in, nature, Setti adds.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
