mortar Definition
- 1a mixture of sand, water, and cement or lime that is used to fix bricks or stones together when building walls
- 2a bowl-shaped container made of hard material, in which substances are crushed with a pestle
Using mortar: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mortar" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The mason used mortar to hold the bricks together.
Example
She ground the spices in a mortar and pestle.
Example
The old walls were crumbling and needed to be repointed with fresh mortar.
mortar Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with mortar
a hat with a flat square top and a tassel worn by graduates on formal occasions
Example
She proudly wore her mortarboard at her college graduation ceremony.
Example
Their relationship was built on a foundation of mortar and brick, and they have been happily married for 50 years.
Example
The soldiers took cover from the incoming mortar fire.
Origins of mortar
from Old French 'mortier', meaning 'builder's mortar; bowl for mixing'
Summary: mortar in Brief
The term 'mortar' [ˈmɔːtə(r)] refers to a mixture of sand, water, and cement or lime used to fix bricks or stones together when building walls, or a bowl-shaped container used to crush substances with a pestle. It can also refer to a mortarboard, a hat worn by graduates, or be used in phrases like 'mortar and brick,' denoting something solid and reliable.
