Standard Lemma guide

masticate

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈmæstɪkeɪt/
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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To chew (usually food).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The cow stood, quietly masticating its cud.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To grind or knead something into a pulp.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He jawed his bubble gum
  • Chew your food and don't swallow it!
  • The cows were masticating the grass

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chew, manducate, jaw

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: grate, grind

Narrower terms: chomp, champ, mumble, gum, chaw, crunch, munch, gnaw

4

verb

Meaning 4

grind and knead

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • masticate rubber

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: knead, work

History

Etymology

From Latin masticātus, perfect passive participle of masticō (“to chew”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Alternatively, back-formation from mastication, either ultimately from Ancient Greek μαστιχάω (mastikháō, “to grind the teeth”). Compare French mastiquer.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: jauhaa — to knead
  • Finnish: soseuttaa — to knead
  • Bavarian German: dabaazn — to knead
  • Icelandic: kremja í mauk — to knead
  • Icelandic: hnoða í mauk — to knead
  • Māori: kōrapu — to knead
  • Russian: месить (mesitʹ) — to knead
  • Swedish: knåda — to knead