verb
C2
Proficient
ruminate
Ruminate (verb) means If an animal such as a cow does this, it brings food back up from its stomach to chew it again.
verb
1
If an animal such as a cow does this, it brings food back up from its stomach to chew it again.
"A camel will ruminate just as a cow will."
2
To ponder or reflect.
"Meanwhile, the MoT had itself also been ruminating on options for the northern half of the route."
— David Clough, How the West Coast wiring war was won (2020)
"I didn't answer right away because I needed to ruminate first."
3
To think deeply about or reflect on; to mull over.
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Etymology
First attested in 1533; borrowed from Latin rūminātus, perfect active participle of rūminor (“to chew the cud, turn over in the mind”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from rūmen (“the throat, gullet”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix), itself of uncertain origin.
Related words
Rhymes for ruminate
See all rhymes for ruminate →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of ruminate?
"ruminate" (verb) means if an animal such as a cow does this, it brings food back up from its stomach to chew it again.
What is another word for ruminate?
Other words for "ruminate" include ponder, muse, excogitate, meditate, reflect, contemplate.
What are the different meanings of ruminate?
"ruminate" has 3 main meanings: 1. If an animal such as a cow does this, it brings food back up from its stomach to chew it again; 2. To ponder or reflect; 3. To think deeply about or reflect on; to mull over.
