masticate

American  

[mas-ti-keyt] / ˈmæs tɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

masticated, masticating

1. to chew.

2. to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.

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masticate British  

/ ˈmæstɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to chew (food)

2. to reduce (materials such as rubber) to a pulp by crushing, grinding, or kneading

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Usage

What does masticate mean? Masticate is a technical word meaning to chew. The word masticate is almost always used in a scientific or technical context. In the everyday context of eating, people usually just say chew. The noun form of masticate is mastication, which refers to the act of chewing. Less commonly, masticate means to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as is done in the rubber-making process. Example: When we masticate, saliva is released from glands under the tongue to aid in the process of chewing and swallowing.

Other Word Forms

• half-masticated adjective
• masticable adjective
• mastication noun
• masticator noun
• remasticate verb
• unmasticated adjective

Etymology

Origin of masticate

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin masticātus, past participle of masticāre “to chew”; mastic, -ate ¹

Explanation

To masticate is to chew your food or to bite and grind stuff with your teeth. While humans use their teeth, primarily molars, to masticate their food, some animals have evolved other ways to do this. Some masticate by crushing food between hard plates on the top and bottom of their mouths, and others masticate by using a spiny tongue to break down their food.

Example Sentences

‘Conclave’ costars John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci can masticate the scenery with the best of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

And dogs have been known to yap and masticate their displeasure.

From Washington Post • Aug. 27, 2020

"Nature will castigate those who don't masticate," Fletcher famously said.

From Chicago Tribune • Nov. 19, 2014

Too thick to stuff into the mouth in straw-like clumps and masticate like cud, too thin to enjoy in isolation.

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2012

“Cherries are the fruit. Pop 'em in, slide out the stone, masticate, swallow, finito. None of this...spatter and gore.”

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell