lubricate
verb (used with object)
to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).
lubricating
-
present participleof lubricate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
After a single minimally invasive injection, the material changes from a liquid into a smooth, lubricating semisolid depot at body temperature.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 31, 2026
"After lubricating the outer walls of the drain eventually we could get the hedgehog out."
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026
Jubail is home to one of the world's largest industrial cities, where steel, gasoline, petrochemicals, lubricating oil and chemical fertilisers are produced.
From Barron's ● Apr. 8, 2026
Usually Morot is working the mechanisms in the eyes and lubricating them — he can speak excitedly at length about “eyeball pivot” — while Tse is manipulating arms and doing a fair amount of hand-acting.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2025
Well, the guy evidently hadn’t been getting the three-times-yearly preventive cleaning and lubricating, which made all the difference.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
