con·cen·trate
ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt 
-ˌsen-
concentrated; concentrating
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
1
: to draw toward or meet in a common center
3
: to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
concentrate on a problem
Farmers are concentrating on the wheat harvest.
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
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Ryan added that the effects of the hunger crisis are also now being seen among humanitarian workers who have been in Gaza for the past two years and now have little energy and are struggling to concentrate.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 28 July 2025
A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Another advantage is that most of its soda concentrate is made in the U.S., and its regional bottlers rely on local suppliers, which helps shield the company from global supply disruptions.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for concentrate
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Verb
Meanwhile, Jim Crow laws that enforced separation of the races in the South, including in Texas, led to a move to concentrate African Americans, and therefore amenities such as schools, into Central East Austin.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Ryan added that the effects of the hunger crisis are also now being seen among humanitarian workers who have been in Gaza for the past two years and now have little energy and are struggling to concentrate.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 28 July 2025
Noun
The measure would allow adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, including up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Another advantage is that most of its soda concentrate is made in the U.S., and its regional bottlers rely on local suppliers, which helps shield the company from global supply disruptions.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for concentrate
Cite this Entry
“Concentrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concentrate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
concentrate
1 of 2 verb
con·cen·trate
ˈkän(t)-sən-ˌtrāt
-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
noun
-ˌtrāt-ər
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-
concentrated; concentrating
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
: to fix one's powers, efforts, or attention on one thing
concentrate on a problem
concentrate
2 of 2 noun
: something prepared by concentration
especially
: a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
orange juice concentrate
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