1To use the teeth to grip, cut into, or clamp down on something.
犬がボールを噛んで離さない。
The dog is biting the ball and won't let go.
リンゴを一口噛んだら、思ったより酸っぱかった。
I bit into the apple and it was more sour than I expected.
子どもが爪を噛む癖がある。
The child has a habit of biting their nails.
2To chew food thoroughly with the teeth, breaking it down before swallowing.
よく噛んで食べると消化にいい。
Chewing well is good for digestion.
ガムを噛みながら勉強すると眠気覚ましになる。
Chewing gum while studying helps keep you awake.
この干し肉は噛むのに時間がかかる。
This dried meat takes a while to chew.
3To fumble or stumble over one's words while speaking — often said of actors or broadcasters flubbing their lines.
アナウンサーが生放送で名前を噛んでしまった。
The announcer flubbed a name during the live broadcast.
緊張のあまり、挨拶の途中で噛んでしまった。
I was so nervous that I stumbled over my words in the middle of the greeting.
4A figurative expression for waves crashing violently against rocks, a hull, etc.
荒れた海では、波が船体を噛むように打ちつけていた。
In the rough sea, the waves were crashing against the hull.
5For gears, a zipper, or other parts to mesh or engage properly.
ギアがうまく噛んで、自転車がスムーズに走るようになった。
The gears meshed properly, and the bike started running smoothly.
ファスナーの歯が生地を噛んでしまい、開かなくなった。
The zipper's teeth caught the fabric and it wouldn't open.
6To be involved in or have a hand in something (a deal, business, etc.); often used in the form 一枚噛む.
この再開発計画には大手企業も一枚噛んでいるらしい。
It seems a major company also has a hand in this redevelopment project.
7An archaic sense, attested among Edo-period courtesans and the like, meaning to cajole or talk someone into something. Entirely obsolete in modern Japanese — not used today.