[+ obj] : to make (something) smooth or slippery : to apply a lubricant to (something, such as a machine or a part of a machine) ▪lubricate a car engine▪lubricate a hinge
— lu·bri·ca·tion/ˌlu:brəˈkeɪʃən/noun, plurallu·bri·ca·tions [noncount] ▪ a hinge that needs lubrication [count] ▪ repeated lubrications of the engine