Chewing: meaning, definitions and examples

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chewing

 

[ ˈtʃuːɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

food

The act of chewing involves the use of the teeth and jaws to break down food into smaller pieces, making it easier to swallow and digest.

Synonyms

mastication.

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Word Description / Examples
chewing

Informal, everyday situations. It is widely used in both spoken and written language.

  • He's chewing gum in the classroom.
  • She can't stop chewing her food loudly.
mastication

Formal, technical or medical discussions. It is rarely used in casual conversation.

  • Proper mastication is essential for good digestion.
  • Dentists emphasize the importance of thorough mastication of food.

Examples of usage

  • Chewing is an important part of the digestive process.
  • Proper chewing can help prevent digestive issues like bloating.
Context #2 | Verb

gum

Chewing is the action of repeatedly moving the jaws to break down something soft or rubbery, such as gum.

Synonyms

gnawing, munching.

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Word Description / Examples
chewing

Chewing is the general term for grinding food with your teeth. It can describe the act of eating any type of food, typically when it's necessary to break it down before swallowing.

  • She was chewing her lunch slowly
  • After chewing the gum, he continued talking

Examples of usage

  • He was caught chewing gum during class.
  • Some people find chewing gum helps them concentrate.

Translations

Translations of the word "chewing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mastigação

🇮🇳 चबाना

🇩🇪 Kauen

🇮🇩 mengunyah

🇺🇦 жування

🇵🇱 żucie

🇯🇵 噛むこと

🇫🇷 mâcher

🇪🇸 masticar

🇹🇷 çiğneme

🇰🇷 씹기

🇸🇦 مضغ

🇨🇿 žvýkání

🇸🇰 žuvanie

🇨🇳 咀嚼

🇸🇮 žvečenje

🇮🇸 tyggja

🇰🇿 шайнау

🇬🇪 ღეჭვა

🇦🇿 çeynəmə

🇲🇽 masticar

Etymology

The word 'chewing' originated from the Old English word 'ceowan', meaning 'to chew'. The act of chewing has been essential for humans and animals alike for thousands of years, as it helps in the digestion process by breaking down food into smaller pieces. Chewing gum, a popular modern habit, has been around for centuries in various forms, with ancient civilizations using tree resin and other natural substances for chewing.

See also: chew, chewer, chewy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,729, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.