pestle

1 of 2

noun

1
: a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar see mortar illustration
2
: any of various devices for pounding, stamping, or pressing

Illustration of pestle

Illustration of pestle
  • pestle 1 (with mortar)

pestle

2 of 2

verb

pestled; pestling ˈpe-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce pestle (audio)
ˈpes-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

archaic
: to beat, pound, or pulverize with or as if with a pestle

intransitive verb

: to work with a pestle : use a pestle

Examples of pestle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The process involves sourcing readily available ingredients, such as plants, tree sap, or stone, which are then burned to soot, melted, or ground into powders with a mortar and pestle. Zahra Hankir, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Like how she and her siblings were often roused from their dreams on weekend mornings by the sound of garlic being pummeled in a mortar and pestle, or the whine of chickpeas passing through a meat grinder to become falafel. Jordan P. Hickey, Longreads, 22 Feb. 2024 Pound dough with mortar and pestle to make a springy paste. Chantha Nguon, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, in a molcajete or mortar and pestle, grind garlic and peppercorns into a smooth paste. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 Using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, grind the mixture into a fine powder. Jing Gao, Saveur, 31 Jan. 2024 In caves adorned with rock art, archaeologists have found pestles, a vomiting spatula and a hollow bird bone snuff tube—paraphernalia associated with attempts to commune with the spirit world. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 Step 2 In a small food processor or mortar and pestle, blend the pecorino, 3 tablespoons of the oil, the oregano, thyme, and garlic to a paste. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 18 Jan. 2024 Transfer to a plate to cool, then finely grind in a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pestle.' 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

Noun

Middle English pestel, from Anglo-French, from Latin pistillum, from pinsere to pound, crush; akin to Greek ptissein to crush, Sanskrit pinaṣṭi he pounds

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of pestle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pestle

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

pestle

noun
pes·​tle
ˈpes-əl,
ˈpes-tᵊl
: a usually club-shaped tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar

Medical Definition

pestle

noun
pes·​tle
ˈpes-əl also ˈpes-tᵊl
: a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar

More from Merriam-Webster on pestle

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