knead

verb

ˈnēd 

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

ˈnē-də-bəl 

adjective

kneader noun

Examples of knead in a Sentence

Knead the dough until it is smooth.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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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

Kids Definition

knead

verb

ˈnēd 

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