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Definition of ruminate

ruminate

/ˈruːmɪneɪt/
ru · mi · nate
Adverb:ruminatively
•
Adjective:ruminative
•
Past Simple:ruminated
•
Past Participle:ruminated
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Present Participle:ruminating
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ruminate Lexical Profile

ruminate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To think deeply, carefully, and at length about something; to ponder or mull over a subject.

Example

"She sat quietly by the window, ruminating on the implications of the committee's decision."

2

To chew the cud; to bring up and chew again what has already been swallowed (of a ruminant mammal such as a cow, sheep, or deer).

Example

"The cattle lay in the shade of the oak trees, peacefully ruminating throughout the warm afternoon."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for ruminate

• Nearby Words

rumbly
rumex
ruminant
ruminate
rumination
ruminatively
rummage

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin 'ruminat-', the participial stem of 'ruminari' (to chew the cud, or figuratively to turn over in the mind), derived from 'rumen' (throat or gullet).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ruminate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ruminate
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