a mixture of sand, water, and cement or lime that is used to fix bricks or stones together when building walls, a bowl-shaped container made of hard material, in which substances are crushed with a pestle

mortarboard, mortar and brick, mortar fire

Formal and Informal Expressions of mortar

In different contexts, you can replace 'mortar' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'cement, adhesive' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'glue' is a commonplace synonym.

mortar: Explore its Definition & Usage

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

Synonyms for mortar

Phrases with mortar

mortarboard
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.
mortar and brick
a phrase used to describe something that is solid, reliable, and long-lasting
Example
Their relationship was built on a foundation of mortar and brick, and they have been happily married for 50 years.
mortar fire
the use of mortars as a weapon in military combat
Example
The soldiers took cover from the incoming mortar fire.

Origins of mortar

from Old French 'mortier', meaning 'builder's mortar; bowl for mixing'

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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.