granulate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency, TechnicalTechnical/Scientific; Formal
Quick answer
What does “granulate” mean?
To form or crumble into small grains or particles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To form or crumble into small grains or particles.
To make something granular in texture; to produce a coarse, grainy surface. In medical contexts, it refers to the formation of granulation tissue during wound healing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both varieties use the term predominantly in technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “granulate” in a Sentence
NP V (Intransitive)NP V NP (Transitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “granulate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lab technician will granulate the compound using a special mill.
- If you heat the solution, the salt will begin to granulate upon cooling.
American English
- The factory granulates plastic pellets for the molding process.
- The wound needs to granulate properly before we can apply the skin graft.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'Granularly' is exceedingly rare and non-standard.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'Granularly' is exceedingly rare and non-standard.]
adjective
British English
- [Technical noun use] The final product is a coarse granulate suitable for industrial use.
- They tested the granulate substrate for drainage.
American English
- [Technical noun use] We ordered a truckload of rubber granulate for the playground surface.
- The granulate form of the chemical is less dusty.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in manufacturing contexts: 'The new process allows us to granulate the fertiliser more efficiently.'
Academic
Used in materials science, chemistry, pharmacy, and medicine. 'The polymer will granulate upon cooling.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Most native speakers would use simpler terms like 'crumble' or 'turn into grains'.
Technical
Common in specific fields: pharmaceutical manufacturing (granulated tablets), food processing (granulated sugar), metallurgy (granulated slag).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “granulate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “granulate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “granulate”
- Using 'granulate' as a noun (the noun is 'granule' or 'granulate' only as a technical noun for the product). Confusing with 'grate' or 'grind'. Overusing in non-technical writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term used primarily in science, industry, and medicine.
'Granulate' implies forming distinct small grains, while 'pulverise' implies reducing to a very fine powder, often through crushing.
Yes, but only as a technical noun referring to the granular product itself (e.g., 'a plastic granulate'), not in general language. The common noun is 'granule'.
Yes, within medical professionals. It describes the formation of granulation tissue (pink, bumpy tissue) in a healing wound.
To form or crumble into small grains or particles.
Granulate is usually technical/scientific; formal in register.
Granulate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡræn.jə.leɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡræn.jə.leɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of GRANulated sugar – small GRAiNs – to remember 'granulate' means to form into grains.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLID IS AGGREGATE OF PARTICLES (e.g., 'The substance granulated like sand').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'granulate' MOST appropriately used?