granulate

/ˌgrænjəˈleɪt/

Other forms: granulated; granulating; granulates

Granulate means to form or reduce into grains. You've probably seen the word on a box of granulated sugar and not thought twice about the fact that, besides its granular form, sugar exists as a liquid and also inside sugar cane.

Sugar, of course, is not a grain. A grain is rice, wheat, quinoa, corn––seeds that form the basis of most people's diets. Sugar forms grains when it's refined, appearing in its crystallized form to have a grain-like, or granulated, appearance.

Definitions of granulate

1. verb

   form into grains
   synonyms: grain

   type of:

   form

   assume a form or shape
2. verb

   become granular
   synonyms: grain

   type of:

   change form, change shape, deform

   assume a different shape or form
3. verb

   form granulating tissue
   “wounds and ulcers can granulate”

   type of:

   heal

   get healthy again