concentrate

1 of 2

verb

con·​cen·​trate ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt How to pronounce concentrate (audio)
-ˌsen-
concentrated; concentrating

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : focus
concentrate one's efforts
The lenses concentrate sunlight.
b
: to gather into one body, mass, or force
Power was concentrated in a few able hands.
concentrate the energy of a sound wave
c
: to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues
Fish concentrate mercury.
2
a
: to make less dilute
concentrate syrup
b
: to express or exhibit in condensed form

intransitive verb

1
: to draw toward or meet in a common center
2
: gather, collect
Cuban immigrants who concentrate in Florida
3
: to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
concentrate on a problem
Farmers are concentrating on the wheat harvest.
concentrative adjective

concentrate

2 of 2

noun

1
: something concentrated: such as
a
: a mineral-rich product obtained after an initial processing of ore
b
: a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
orange juice concentrate
2
: a feedstuff (such as grains) relatively rich in digestible nutrients compare fiber

Examples of concentrate in a Sentence

Verb All that noise makes it hard to concentrate. The student has difficulty concentrating. The sauce should be simmered for a few minutes to concentrate its flavors. Noun a frozen orange juice concentrate Is this orange juice fresh or is it made from concentrate?
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The United States is home to about 200,000 Afghans, concentrated in California, Texas and Virginia. Miriam Jordan, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The protein comes from whey protein concentrate, and soy and coconut oil are the main fat sources. Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 You might be tempted to concentrate on one area, but building strength in your lower body is important overall. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2024 This lemon verbena concentrated cleaner gives a classic clean house smell. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 Unlike tax preparers, who mainly concentrate on filing tax returns, tax strategists provide strategic advice to reduce their tax burden, increase tax savings, and save money while complying with tax laws and regulations. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Under founder Barbara Picower, whom Bhargava replaced as president, JPB concentrated its grant making in three areas: reducing poverty, protecting the environment, and supporting medical breakthroughs. Alex Daniels Of The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Chip packaging push In addition to the chip fab, the government approved investments in two assembly, test, and packaging facilities, a sector of the semiconductor industry currently concentrated in Southeast Asia. IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2024 Today, advanced meditators usually access them by concentrating on something: a flame, their breath, the sense of loving kindness. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
Metallurgical test work indicates a zinc concentrate grading 50% zinc can be produced from Zinc and Silver Zones with 92% of the zinc in the Zinc Zone recovered to the zinc concentrate (see news release of June 5, 2019), and 87% of the zinc in the Silver Zone recovered to the zinc concentrate. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2024 Drop a teaspoon of sofrito concentrate into soups, salsas, or beans for instant flavor without chopping. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024 The law allows adults ages 21 and older to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana, a half-ounce of cannabis concentrate and 1 ounce of products such as edibles for recreational, sacramental and other uses. Dánica Coto, Quartz, 13 Feb. 2024 If passed, the legislation (House Bill 2600 and Senate Bill 3335) would allow adults aged 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates. A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 For some cannabis concentrates, which are vaporized or inhaled over high heat, THC levels can exceed 90%. Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2024 Capsules of dry concentrate were projected from diffusers under every third seat. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Best Spicy Umami: Yondu Hot & Spicy Umami A little of this fiery concentrate goes a long way in boosting savory flavor. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024 After scientists discovered how to make palatable OJ concentrate in the mid-40s, the drink was on its way to fame and fortune. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 8 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concentrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

com- + Latin centrum center

First Known Use

Verb

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of concentrate was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near concentrate

Cite this Entry

“Concentrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concentrate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

concentrate

1 of 2 verb
con·​cen·​trate ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt How to pronounce concentrate (audio)
-sen-
concentrated; concentrating
1
a
: to bring, direct, or come toward or meet in a common center or objective
concentrate one's efforts
b
: to gather into one body, mass, or force
2
: to increase the amount of a substance in a space by removing other substances with which it is mixed or in which it is dissolved
concentrate syrup
concentrate ore
3
: to fix one's powers, efforts, or attention on one thing
concentrate on a problem
concentrator
-ˌtrāt-ər
noun

concentrate

2 of 2 noun
: something concentrated
frozen orange juice concentrate

Medical Definition

concentrate

1 of 2 verb
con·​cen·​trate ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt, -ˌsen- How to pronounce concentrate (audio)
concentrated; concentrating

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : focus
b
: to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues
fish concentrate mercury
2
: to make less dilute
concentrate syrup

intransitive verb

: to fix one's powers, efforts, or attention on one thing
concentrate on a problem
concentrator noun

concentrate

2 of 2 noun
: something prepared by concentration
especially : a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
orange juice concentrate

More from Merriam-Webster on concentrate

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