chicle

noun

: a gum from the latex of the sapodilla used as the chief ingredient of chewing gum

Examples of chicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Noh-Bec is not ancient; it was founded in the 1930s by chicleros — people who made their living mainly by harvesting natural chewing gum from chicle found in trees that abound in the Yucatán. Gabriel Popkin, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2016 The bulk of her inventory, which also includes leather boots, clay cooking pots and candy like Mazapan and chicle, are from Mexico. Lisa Maria Garza, orlandosentinel.com, 10 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chicle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Nahautl tzictli

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chicle was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near chicle

Cite this Entry

“Chicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chicle

noun
chi·​cle ˈchik-əl How to pronounce chicle (audio) -lē How to pronounce chicle (audio)
: a gum from the latex of a tropical tree that is used as an important part of chewing gum

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