masseter

noun

mas·​se·​ter mə-ˈsē-tər 

ma-

: a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication

masseteric

ˌma-sə-ˈter-ik 

adjective

Examples of masseter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Companies that sell rock-hard chewing gum claim the extra force will work out the masseter muscles that run from the cheekbone to the lower jawbone. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024

When Carillo put his fingers in my mouth to get at my masseter muscles, my eyes rolled back. —Annie Blay, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024

There are four Botox injections total, two on each side, directed straight into your masseter jaw muscles. —Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2023

Also, the masseter pulls the jaw up and down for chewing. —Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2023

Next up: Would all of this chewing start to bulk up my masseter muscle? —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023

What are the benefits of masseter Botox? —Tori Crowther, Allure, 15 Mar. 2023

Set the big roller against your masseter muscles and go to town. —Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 26 Oct. 2022

In the years since, researchers have also discovered that the injections, which temporarily paralyze the masseter muscles responsible for grinding and clenching, can reduce the frequency and intensity of bruxism. —Ali Francis, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek masētēr, from masasthai to chew — more at mandible

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

masseter

noun

mas·​se·​ter mə-ˈsēt-ər, ma- 

: a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication, arises from the zygomatic arch and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, and is inserted into the mandibular ramus and gonial angle

masseteric

ˌmas-ə-ˈter-ik 

adjective