lubricated; lubricating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to act as a lubricant

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.
The course of its action and the dynamics of its relationships run in familiar grooves, lubricated by generous applications of blood and goo. Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 The shoulder joint capsule is basically a pocket of strong ligaments and lubricating synovial fluid that anchors and stabilizes the upper arm bone within the shoulder socket. Amy Norton, SELF, 29 Jan. 2025 This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints. Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025 Anchoring the space and lubricating it well is a new taproom from Alameda’s Almanac Beer Co. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 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 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

lubricate

verb
lubricated; lubricating
1
: to make smooth or slippery
2
: to apply a lubricant to
lubricate a car
3
: to act as a lubricant

Medical Definition

lubricate

transitive verb
lubricated; lubricating
: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance
lubricate the eye
lubricate the skin

More from Merriam-Webster on lubricate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!