mastication: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “mastication” mean?
The physical process of chewing food, breaking it down with the teeth in preparation for swallowing and digestion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The physical process of chewing food, breaking it down with the teeth in preparation for swallowing and digestion.
In a metaphorical or extended sense, the repetitive, grinding action or thorough working over of a substance, idea, or problem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of technicality and precision.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and formal in both dialects; 'chewing' is the dominant everyday term.
Grammar
How to Use “mastication” in a Sentence
require(s) masticationis important for masticationaids in (the) mastication of [object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mastication” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient must masticate thoroughly to aid digestion.
- It's designed for masticating tough fibres.
American English
- Properly masticating your food is the first step in digestion.
- The machine masticates the raw materials into a pulp.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form; 'while masticating' is used.]
- [No standard adverbial form; 'during mastication' is used.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form; 'masticating slowly' is used.]
- [No standard adverbial form; 'for proper mastication' is used.]
adjective
British English
- The masticatory muscles were sore after the dental procedure.
- He had poor masticatory function.
American English
- The masticatory process involves several jaw muscles.
- She experienced masticatory pain.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The committee's mastication of the proposal took weeks.'
Academic
Common in biology, dentistry, anatomy, physiology, and food science texts.
Everyday
Very rare; 'chewing' is used exclusively.
Technical
Standard term in medical, dental, and biological contexts to describe the biomechanical process.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mastication”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mastication”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mastication”
- Using 'mastication' in casual conversation instead of 'chewing'.
- Misspelling as 'masticacion' (Spanish influence) or 'mastacation'.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈmæstɪkeɪʃən/ (stress on first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, technical term. The common everyday word is 'chewing'.
They mean the same physical action. 'Mastication' is the precise biological/medical term, while 'chewing' is the general, everyday word.
Yes, though it's stylistically marked. It can describe the slow, thorough consideration or processing of an idea or document (e.g., 'the mastication of the legal brief').
It is a noun. The related verb is 'masticate', and the adjective is 'masticatory'.
The physical process of chewing food, breaking it down with the teeth in preparation for swallowing and digestion.
Mastication is usually formal, academic, technical, medical in register.
Mastication: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmæstɪˈkeɪʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmæstəˈkeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly using 'mastication'. The process is typically described literally.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MASTIFF dog chewing (Masticating) a big bone. 'MASTIFF-ication' helps you remember 'mastication'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS CHEWING (e.g., 'chew over an idea', 'masticate a problem').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would 'mastication' be the MOST appropriate term?