moisten

verb

moist·​en ˈmȯi-sᵊn How to pronounce moisten (audio)
moistened; moistening ˈmȯis-niŋ How to pronounce moisten (audio)
ˈmȯi-sᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become moist
moistener
ˈmȯis-nər How to pronounce moisten (audio)
ˈmȯi-sᵊn-ər
noun

Examples of moisten in a Sentence

Corn syrup can be used to moisten and flavor baked foods. The chemical reaction begins as soon as the powder is moistened.
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.
Besides water to moisten the mix, have a pan of water on hand that’s big enough to rinse your soil-blocker in occasionally, so it doesn’t get clogged. Margaret Roach Stacey Cramp, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 Suck on Hard Candies Sucking on lozenges or hard candies can stimulate saliva production, which helps moisten and soothe the throat.8 Even better is sucking on candy containing real peppermint or honey. 7. Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025 Repeat moistening flour mixture, using 1 tablespoon of the water at a time, until flour mixture is moistened. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2025 Here and Now Agency/paul vu Music schools can be brutal places, suffused with envy and moistened by tears. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moisten

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of moisten was in 1559

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moisten. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

moisten

verb
moist·​en ˈmȯis-ᵊn How to pronounce moisten (audio)
moistened; moistening ˈmȯis-niŋ How to pronounce moisten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become moist
moistener
ˈmȯis-nər How to pronounce moisten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on moisten

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!