mash: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “mash” mean?
To crush or beat something into a soft, pulpy mass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To crush or beat something into a soft, pulpy mass; a soft, pulpy mass created by crushing or beating.
To mix or combine thoroughly; to prepare malt and hot water to form wort for brewing; a mixture of boiled grain and bran given to horses; (informal) mashed potatoes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Noun 'mash' meaning 'mashed potatoes' is common in UK informal use (e.g., 'bangers and mash'). In US, 'mashed potatoes' or 'mashed' is standard; 'mash' alone is less common for food. In brewing contexts, both use the term identically.
Connotations
UK: Strong food association (potatoes). US: Broader, with stronger connections to the physical crushing action or animal feed.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK due to culinary term. In US, verb form is more common than the noun (outside specific contexts like brewing).
Grammar
How to Use “mash” in a Sentence
mash something (up)mash something togethermash (potatoes)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mash” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- I'll have the pie with a side of mash, please.
- The farmer prepared the mash for the pigs.
American English
- The recipe calls for a mash of ripe bananas.
- The brewer checked the temperature of the mash.
verb
British English
- Mash the swedes with butter and pepper.
- He mashed the brake pedal in a panic.
American English
- Mash the avocado for guacamole.
- She mashed the buttons on the remote control.
adjective
British English
- She served mash potatoes with the stew.
- (Note: 'mashed' is standard; 'mash' as adj is non-standard)
American English
- (Rare as adjective; 'mashed' is used)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in brewing industry ('mash tun') or agriculture ('cattle mash').
Academic
Used in chemistry, biology, or food science for describing sample preparation.
Everyday
Common in cooking (verb), UK dining (noun). Also used informally for pressing buttons/controls forcefully.
Technical
Standard in brewing (the 'mashing' process), animal husbandry (feed).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mash”
- Using 'mash' instead of 'mix' for gentle combination.
- Incorrectly using 'mash up' as a noun (it's 'mash-up').
- Overusing the noun 'mash' for food in American English contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While common for food, it's also used in brewing, for animal feed, and informally for pressing things forcefully (e.g., 'mash a button').
'Mash' often implies the result is a soft, moist, usable mass (like food). 'Crush' focuses more on the destructive force and can result in dry fragments or powder.
Yes, it's used for combining things while crushing them (e.g., 'Mash the strawberries and sugar together').
'Mashed potatoes' is the standard phrase. 'Mash potatoes' is understood as a verb phrase (an instruction). In UK informal speech, 'mash' can stand alone as a noun meaning 'mashed potatoes'.
To crush or beat something into a soft, pulpy mass.
Mash is usually informal to neutral in register.
Mash: in British English it is pronounced /mæʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /mæʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mash the pedal (to accelerate hard)”
- “mash-up (a mixture or blend, especially in music)”
- “bangers and mash (UK: sausages and mashed potatoes)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a monster SMASHing potatoes with its huge MASHer to make MASH.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORCEFUL ACTION IS MASHING (e.g., 'mash the keyboard'), COMBINATION/CREATION IS MASHING (e.g., 'mash-up').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mash' used as a standard technical noun?