lubricate

verb

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

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.
Instead of forming the lubricating melt layer like water ice does on Earth, the material would sublimate, destabilizing the surface below the skis. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Inspect them for rust and any sticky residue which can be wiped away with WD-40 (which also help keep the hinges lubricated). Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026 Foreign aid might lubricate that conversation too. Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026 Those seals need to be wiped clean periodically and lubricated. Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026 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 18 Feb. 2026.

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

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