lubricant
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lubricant
1815–25; < Latin lūbricant- (stem of lūbricāns ), present participle of lūbricāre to make slippery. See lubric, -ant
Explanation
Lubricant is an oily or greasy substance that makes machine parts move more easily. If your door squeaks loudly every time you open it, you may want to use some lubricant on its rusty hinges. When metal surfaces are in contact with each other, especially when they're rough or rusty, there's friction. In order for a machine with moving parts to work quickly and efficiently, it's important to reduce that friction, which is where lubricant comes in. These are usually made mostly of oil, though often they're thicker than a liquid, and they enable two surfaces to slide smoothly against each other, whether that's a key in a lock or engine parts in a car.
Vocabulary lists containing lubricant
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.
Lubricant technology currently in use for marine turbines was borrowed from wind turbines, which are serviced every six to 18 months, Qu said.
From Science Daily • May 2, 2024
In February, the FDA announced a voluntary recall from Global Pharma Healthcare on their Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops "due to possible contamination."
From Salon • Aug. 21, 2023
The AMA has announced that the fuel investigation will be conducted by the Southwest Research Institute's Fuel and Lubricant Lab, an independent consulting organization with nearly 60 years of experience.
From Time Magazine Archive
Also included in the kit is Iosso�s Zipper & Snap Lubricant to keep snaps and zippers working smoothly all season long.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Value of a Lubricant as a lubricant is independent of the market price; and it is at a maximum, according to Thurston, when it possesses the following characteristics: 1.
From Friction, Lubrication and the Lubricants in Horology by Lewis, William T.
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.
