Definitions

1. verb

to chew thoroughly, especially to break down food in the mouth before swallowing

“After eating the tough steak, she had to masticate it for a long time before she could swallow it.”

2. verb

to ponder or reflect on something

“She spent hours masticating on the meaning of the poem before writing her analysis.”

3. noun

the act of chewing food in the mouth

“The dentist examined her mastication to check for any dental problems.”