lubricant

noun

lu·bri·cant ˈlü-bri-kənt

: a substance (such as grease) capable of reducing friction, heat, and wear when introduced as a film between solid surfaces

: something that lessens or prevents friction or difficulty

a social lubricant

lubricant adjective

Examples of lubricant in a Sentence

The car's axles need more lubricant. using humor as a social lubricant

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.

As with the garden snails, there is one that acts as a lubricant to help with locomotion and an adhesive mucus to help the snail stick to various surfaces. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 After additional refinement, this new end product is a comparatively eco-friendly oil that may find its way into the next generation of industrial lubricants. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026 Now, a new process upcycles polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into polyalphaolefin, which is a primary ingredient in synthetic lubricants, including the motor oil powering car engines, lawn mowers, and jet turbines. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 But since the gathering was sponsored by a top Hollywood company and hosting a group of youngsters, that meant a party free of any social lubricant so often found at industry networking events. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lubricant

Word History

Etymology

lubric(ate) + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of lubricant was circa 1828

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

lubric

lubricant

lubricate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lubricant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lubricant. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lubricant

noun

lu·bri·cant ˈlü-bri-kənt

: something (as a grease or oil) capable of reducing friction when applied between moving parts

lubricant adjective

Medical Definition

lubricant

1 of 2 adjective

lu·bri·cant ˈlü-bri-kənt

: serving to lubricate a surface or part

lubricant

2 of 2 noun

: a substance that serves to lubricate a surface or part

normally, the intestinal passage requires no artificial lubricant—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

lubricant

noun

Examples of lubricant in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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