chew
verb
\ ˈchü
\
\
chewed;
chewing;
chews
Definition of chew
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to crush, grind, or gnaw (something, such as food) with or as if with the teeth : masticate
2
: to injure, destroy, or consume as if by chewing
—usually used with up chewing up profits
: to chew something
specifically
: to chew tobacco
chew
nounDefinition of chew (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: the act of chewing
2
: something for chewing
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Other Words from chew
Verb
chewable
\ ˈchü-ə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
chewer
noun
chewy
\ ˈchü-ē
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for chew
Synonyms: Verb
bite (on), champ, chaw, chomp (on), crunch (on), gnaw (on), masticate, nibble
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Examples of chew in a Sentence
Verb
We were taught to chew our food thoroughly before swallowing. He chews with his mouth open. You're not allowed to chew gum in class. A mouse chewed through the cord. The dog chewed a hole in the rug.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The fossil also shows the beginning of the massive and robust faces found in Australopithecus, built to withstand strains from chewing tough food, researchers said. — Fox News, "Secrets of 'Lucy' ancestor revealed in 'remarkably complete,' 3.8-million-year-old skull," 29 Aug. 2019 The fossil also shows the beginning of the massive and robust faces found in Australopithecus, built to withstand strains from chewing tough food, researchers said. — Malcolm Ritter, Los Angeles Times, "3.8-million-year-old fossil reveals face of Lucy’s ancestors," 28 Aug. 2019 The fossil also shows the beginning of the massive and robust faces found in Australopithecus, built to withstand strains from chewing tough food, researchers said. — NBC News, "New fossil reveals face of 'Lucy' ancestor who lived almost 4 million years ago," 28 Aug. 2019 The fossil also shows the beginning of the massive and robust faces found in Australopithecus, built to withstand strains from chewing tough food, researchers said. — Washington Post, "Ethiopian fossil reveals face for ancestor of famed ‘Lucy’," 28 Aug. 2019 How would Warren Moon’s run-and-shoot Oilers have fared on natural grass chewed up by a season of football in the heat of Houston? — SI.com, "A History of Football in 100 Objects," 28 Aug. 2019 The agency’s expenses outstripped its revenue from year to year, and officials began chewing up reserve funds to fill the gap. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "North Bay’s SMART train, beloved but not bustling, looks to extend sales tax," 25 Aug. 2019 To champ is to gnash or bite or chew at something, especially when a horse does it. — June Casagrande, Burbank Leader, "A Word, Please: Grammar blunders that have crept into regular English usage," 15 Aug. 2019 Cliffside collapses are not unusual as the ocean chews away at the base of the sandstone, authorities said. — CBS News, "Sea cliff collapse in California kills 3 beachgoers, triggers race to dig out victims," 3 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Last year, Wayfair launched the Archie & Oscar line of pet furnishings with nearly 1,000 pieces, including a gray rattan domed cat lounger and a white Chippendale-style dog gate made of chew-resistant wood. — Jura Koncius, Twin Cities, "Custom wood kennels, memory foam beds: The wild world of modern pet furniture," 28 July 2019 The Cards eat anywhere from six to 10 times daily, including meals and smaller snacks like energy chews or post-practice protein shakes. — Danielle Lerner, The Courier-Journal, "U of L basketball players eat 10 times a day. What the heck are they chowing down on?," 11 July 2019 Vibrant orange sweet potato gnocchi, with a playfully non-traditional chew, sit in a thick, almost sticky chicken reduction cut with just a touch of acid. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "The best restaurants in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley," 1 July 2019 Some of the mitzvah projects during this event will include assembling school supplies for children in foster care, assembling sandwiches for local needy families, making chew toys for dogs and making slipper socks for a veterans nursing home. — Sergio Carmona, sun-sentinel.com, "Synagogue’s open house to include mitzvah projects," 1 Aug. 2019 The tawny pastry itself is only lightly sweetened, dense and slightly crunchy at the outside, like most good doughnuts, with a vaguely oily nuttiness and an almost substantial chew. — Peter Meehan, latimes.com, "All about the epic strawberry doughnuts from the Donut Man," 25 June 2019 Last year, Wayfair launched the Archie & Oscar line of pet furnishings with nearly 1,000 pieces, including a gray rattan domed cat lounger and a white Chippendale-style dog gate made of chew-resistant wood. — Jura Koncius, Washington Post, "Custom wood kennels and memory foam beds: Welcome to the wild world of modern pet furniture," 17 July 2019 Then, there are the dozens of different types of sweet-hot-tart Mexican candy, including chews and gummies. — Daniela Galarza, New York Times, "‘TajÃn Is a Lifestyle’: An Appreciation of the Mexican Seasoning Mix," 10 June 2019 Most boxes are stocked with two treats from conscientious brands—like Portland’s Cycle Dog and California’s Bobby + Bambi’s—two toys, and a chew or stylish accessory (hello, bandanas!). — Sunset, "10 Best Healthy Pet Treats," 22 Jan. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for chew
chew
verb
English Language Learners Definition of chew
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to use your teeth to cut food into small pieces before you swallow it
: to bite on (something) repeatedly with the teeth
: to make (something, such as a hole) by chewing
chew
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of chew (Entry 2 of 2)
: the act of chewing something
: something that a person or animal chews
See the full definition for chew in the English Language Learners Dictionary