ruminate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to chew again or over and over.
-
to meditate on; ponder.
verb
-
(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”; see rumen) + -ātus past participle suffix ( see -ate 1)
Explanation
When you ruminate, it means you are thinking very deeply about something. You're likely to be so lost in thought that you stare off into space and don't hear people when they call your name. Another meaning of ruminate is to "chew the cud," which can mean "to turn it over and over in your mind." Or, if you're a cow, to turn food over and over in your stomachs in order to digest it. Whether you're a human or a cow, if you ruminate, it will take a LONG time.
Vocabulary lists containing ruminate
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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 try not to ruminate on the past but look to the future,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026
According to later biographical accounts, it was during this period that Woods began to ruminate on how rail transportation might be improved—a pursuit that would come to define his life.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
After Eva and Ryland briefly ruminate on fear and primal instinct, Ryland’s otherwise direct and unemotional government superior takes to the mic, performing a cover of Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times.”
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026
The 47-year-old was understandably unwilling to ruminate over his long-term future, preferring to retain focus on Wednesday's Premiership trip to Kilmarnock.
From BBC • Feb. 25, 2025
“Goats chew differently when they ruminate and when they eat, Mom. Which do you mean?”
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
