pestle

1 of 2

noun

pes·​tle ˈpe-səl  ˈpes-tᵊl 

1

: a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar see mortar illustration

2

: any of various devices for pounding, stamping, or pressing

Illustration of pestle

• pestle 1 (with mortar)

pestle

2 of 2

verb

pestled; pestling ˈpe-s(ə-)liŋ 

ˈpes-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

archaic

: to beat, pound, or pulverize with or as if with a pestle

intransitive verb

: to work with a pestle : use a pestle

Examples of pestle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Into a mortar and pestle, toss some cardamom seeds, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil; mash to a paste and coat the squash. —Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Use a mortar and pestle or rolling pin to roughly crush the coriander seeds, and add to feta mixture. 2. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

The molcajete, the iconic Mexican version of the mortar and pestle, has enjoyed quite the illustrious trajectory, beginning in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultures and ultimately ending up on jeb2016.com. —Jp Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, cut up cannabis flowers using scissors in a paper cup (can use herb grinder or pestle and mortar). —Tor Haugan, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pestel, from Anglo-French, from Latin pistillum, from pinsere to pound, crush; akin to Greek ptissein to crush, Sanskrit pinaṣṭi he pounds

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

pestle

noun

pes·​tle

ˈpes-əl,

ˈpes-tᵊl

: a usually club-shaped tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar

Medical Definition

pestle

noun

pes·​tle

ˈpes-əl also ˈpes-tᵊl

: a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar