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Glite Dictionary
to lubricate

to lubricate

19 4.4
To make machine parts move smoothly by putting oil or grease on them
  • verb
  • /ˈluːbrɪˌkeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lubricar
  • To reduce friction and prevent wear, it's important to lubricate the gears in your machinery.
  • lubricated bearings
  • lubricating oil
  • lubricate the joint

Blinking is something that your eyes do to lubricate the eyeball and to also get rid of dust and debris.

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Examples

  • Typical operational changes include cleaning air filters, lubricating dampers, and ensuring that controls work properly.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Well, you use oil to lubricate the barrel, but all the synthetic oils the scientists tried would dry up.

  • So maybe I do need to put oil back in there to lubricate everything up.

  • There is one final step we need to do though, before we lubricate this with three in one oil.

  • And then you want to lubricate your knife.

  • Tear ducts operate on a normal basis to lubricate and protect the eye.

    City of Angels (1998)

  • Oil is used to fuel vehicles, heat homes, and lubricate machinery ranging from bicycles to printing presses.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The joint's synovial fluid and water help lubricate natural joints and replacements, according to other experts.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Engines of this size use 12 quarts of oil to lubricate their internal parts (Feld Motor Sports, 2012).

    Academic text (2013)

  • The turbine drive spindle of a modern air turbine is lubricated with oil supplied by an external pump.

    Academic text (1993)

Synonyms

to grease
vsto lubricate
68 2.8

To put oily material on moving parts so they move smoothly

is broader, covering making smooth with any oily substance
to oil
vsto lubricate
42 4.1

To put a slippery liquid on something to make it move more easily or for a ritual

focuses on making surfaces smooth by applying substances that cut friction
to slick
vsto lubricate
18 5.0

To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing or adding oil

is mainly about reducing friction rather than just creating shine or slipperiness
to lube
vsto lubricate
  • Informal
9 6.4

Apply oil or grease to a machine part so it moves more easily

is the general act of making things smooth by using oil or grease

How Slippery

to slick
18 5.0
to grease
68 2.8
to lubricate
  • Specialized
19 4.4
to oil
42 4.1

Surface Forms

lubricate infinitive
lubricated past
lubricated past participle
lubricating present participle
lubricates third person singular

Morphology

lubricate = lubricant (semi-transparent) = lubric + ate

The meaning 'make smooth/reduce friction' is clear, but the root 'lubric-' is not a free-standing modern English word; learners may only see the relation if they know related forms like 'lubricant' or 'lubrication'.

Etymology

Lubricate comes from the old Latin root lubricus, which means 'slippery'. So to lubricate something is to make it 'slippery' or 'smooth' with oil or grease so its parts can move more easily.