pacifier

noun

pac·​i·​fi·​er ˈpa-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce pacifier (audio)
Synonyms of pacifiernext
1
: one that pacifies
2
: a usually nipple-shaped device for babies to suck or bite on

Examples of pacifier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company will also add Mōmi’s assortment of baby bottles and pacifiers to its website, with pacifiers priced around $14 each and two-packs of Mōmi’s 5-ounce bottles in both glass and plastic around $28. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 Aside from paper and plastic debris, the Yellowstone Geology Program retrieved roughly 10,700 rocks and sticks, more than 360 hats and plenty of camera lens caps, hair ties and pacifiers, National Geographic reported. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Dedicated micro-jets direct water into the interior of nipples and pacifiers, while aligned nozzles help flush narrow valves and straws. — New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026 Neither are bubble-making devices, candy necklaces, drones, eye drops, gum, hula hoops, pacifiers or selfie sticks. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pacifier

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pacifier was in 1533

Rhymes for pacifier

See All Rhymes for pacifier

Browse Nearby Words

Pacifid
pacifier
pacifism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pacifier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacifier. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pacifier

noun
pac·​i·​fi·​er ˈpas-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce pacifier (audio)
1
: one that pacifies
2
: a usually nipple-shaped device for babies to suck or bite on

Medical Definition

pacifier

noun
pac·​i·​fi·​er ˈpas-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce pacifier (audio)
1
: a usually nipple-shaped device for babies to suck or bite on
2
: tranquilizer

More from Merriam-Webster on pacifier

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pacifier

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All