Word Explorer

Chewing

To crush with the teeth by repeated closing and opening of the jaws; done to food to soften it and break it down by the action of saliva before it is swallowed.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Chewing"

verb

1
To crush with the teeth by repeated closing and opening of the jaws; done to food to soften it and break it down by the action of saliva before it is swallowed.
"Make sure to chew thoroughly, and don't talk with your mouth full!"
2
To grind, tear, or otherwise degrade or demolish something with teeth or as with teeth.
"He keeps his feed in steel drums to prevent the mice from chewing holes in the feed-sacks."
3
To think about something; to ponder; to chew over.
"The professor stood at the blackboard, chalk in hand, and chewed the question the student had asked."

🔄 Synonyms of "Chewing"

2 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
masticationnoun	(physiology) The process of chewing.
chewverb	To crush with the teeth by repeated closing and opening of the jaws; done to food to soften it and break it down by the action of saliva before it is swallowed.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Chewing"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
masticationnoun	(physiology) The process of chewing.
cudverb	(transitive) To bring back into the mouth and chew a second time.
bitingnoun	Causing a stinging sensation.
gumverb	To chew, especially of a toothless person or animal.
betelnoun	An evergreen Indian creeping shrub, Piper betle, whose dried leaves are chewed with betel nut: the betel pepper.
munchingnoun	The sound of one who munches.
gnawingnoun	(of pain or hunger) severe or intense
chompingnoun	The sound or action of one who chomps.
grindingnoun	(dance) A form of dance in which two people rub their bodies together.
masticatingverb	(transitive) To chew (usually food).
ruminatingnoun	An act of pondering over, meditation, or reflection.
champingnoun	The sound or action of one who champs (bites or chews).
manducationnoun	The act of eating.
manducating	To eat (something).
nibblingnoun	The act or sound of one who nibbles.
crunchingnoun	A crunch noise.
jawingnoun	A scolding.
chawingverb	(Appalachia, informal, uncountable) Chewing tobacco.
pulverizingverb	The act of pulverizing.
trituratingverb	To grind to a fine powder, to pulverize.