lubricate

verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
lubricated; lubricating

transitive verb

1
: to make smooth or slippery
2
: to apply a lubricant to

intransitive verb

: to act as a lubricant
lubrication noun
lubricative adjective
lubricator noun

Examples of lubricate in a Sentence

it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is cooking that feeds the soul and lubricates the joints, and makes a nice long train nap sound good indeed. Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025 Deep injection wells also lubricate faults in the Earth, sometimes causing earthquakes bad enough to crack home walls and foundations. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025 This is cooking that feeds the soul and lubricates the joints, and makes a nice long train nap sound good indeed. Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025 The zipper pull should glide easily once lubricated. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lubricate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre "to make slippery," derivative of lūbricus "slippery, hard to hold, liable to lead to false steps, hazardous" — more at sleeve

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lubricate was circa 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lubricate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

lubricate

verb
lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
lubricated; lubricating
1
: to make smooth or slippery
2
: to apply a lubricant to
lubricate a car
3
: to act as a lubricant
lubrication noun
lubricator noun

Medical Definition

lubricate

transitive verb
lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-bri-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
lubricated; lubricating
: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance
lubricate the eye
lubricate the skin
lubrication noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lubricate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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