knead

verb

kneaded; kneading; kneads

transitive verb

1
a
: to work and press into a mass with or as if with the hands
kneading dough
b
: to manipulate or massage with a kneading motion
kneaded sore neck muscles
2
: to form or shape by or as if by kneading
kneadable adjective
kneader noun

Examples of knead in a Sentence

Knead the dough until it is smooth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As adults, many cats continue this habit, kneading either their favorite people, animals or soft surfaces. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024 Glamour readers are fans of this basic under $50 foot massager, which has six massaging heads and 54 rotating nodes that knead their aches and pains. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024 Mixing flour, yeast, and salt and tenderly kneading the dough brings him back to a time before war. Sophie Neiman, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Oct. 2024 It’s heated to loosen up stiff muscles, and the nodes can knead the shoulder, arm, buttocks and legs for instant relief. Find it on Amazon This Sofa Is Such Great Quality This stylish sofa can offer your living room an instant refresh. Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for knead 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kneden, from Old English cnedan; akin to Old High German knetan to knead

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of knead was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near knead

Cite this Entry

“Knead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knead. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

knead

verb
1
: to work and press into a mass with or as if with the hands
2
: to treat as if by kneading : massage
kneader noun

More from Merriam-Webster on knead

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!