washed; washing; washes
1
a
: to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (such as water)
b
: to remove (something, such as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid
2
: to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva
3
4
: to flow along or dash or overflow against
waves washing the shore
5
: to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion
houses washed away by the flood
6
a
: to subject (something, such as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material
b
: to separate (particles) from a substance (such as ore) by agitation with or in water
c(1)
: to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components
(2)
: to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components
7
a
: to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (such as whitewash or varnish)
b
: to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush
8
: to cause to swirl
washing coffee around in his cup
9
: launder sense 3
how the mob washes its money through corrupt bankers—
Vincent Teresa
Vincent Teresa1
: to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2
: to become worn away by the action of water
3
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
4
a
: to become carried along on water : drift
cakes of ice washing along
b
: to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current
waves of pioneers washing westward—Green Peyton
Green Peyton5
: to serve as a cleansing agent
this soap washes thoroughly
6
a
: to undergo laundering
this dress doesn't wash well
b(1)
: to undergo testing successfully : work sense 3
an interesting theory, but it just won't wash
(2)
: to gain acceptance : inspire belief
the story didn't wash with me
1
2
a
: the act or process or an instance of washing or being washed
b
: articles to be washed, being washed, or having been washed
3
: the surging action or sound of waves
also
: something resembling this action or sound
the warm wash of applause that followed her … introduction —John Updike
John Updike 4
5
a
: a sweep or splash especially of color made by or as if by a long stroke of a brush
in the gray wash of early morning
b
: a thin coat of paint (such as watercolor)
c
: a thin liquid used for coating a surface (such as a wall)
6
: lotion
7
: loose or eroded surface material of the earth (such as rock debris) transported and deposited by running water
8
a
b
: a disturbance in a fluid (such as water or the air) produced by the passage of an airfoil or propeller
9
: a situation in which losses and gains or advantages and disadvantages balance each other
1
: involving essentially simultaneous purchase and sale of the same security
spurious market activity resulting from wash trading
2
: washable
wash fabric
Synonyms
Examples of wash in a Sentence
Verb
We have to wash the dishes.
Did you wash your hands?
The flooding washed sand and silt all over the area.
The pollution washes into rivers from nearby factories.
Water washed over the deck of the ship.
Waves washed up onto the beach.
Noun
My jeans are in the wash.
We could hear the wash of the waves against the rocks.
The wash from speedboats is dangerous for swimmers.
Recent Examples on the WebRachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 5 Apr. 2024
Plus, muslin typically washes well and doesn't shrink in the dryer.
—Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024
Once your hair is washed, move on to body care with one of the brand's super hydrating body washes or creamy body lotions.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 3 Apr. 2024
Nitrogen can be damaging to the environment when it's washed into surface water, driving excessive algae growth and causing harm to fish and other aquatic life.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
To prevent cracking and warping, always hand wash your bamboo utensils using warm water and mild dish soap.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
To do that, wash the ramps well under cool, running water.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
But Take Note The socks may leave fuzz behind during the first few wears, so consider washing them a few times before wearing them.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Over the years, Francis has washed the feet of women and Muslims, but this is the first time the foot-washing ceremony has involved women only.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
The device is designed to vacuum, wash, and steam-clean messes on a variety of floor types.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The washes are vintage-inspired with low stretch, and the fit comes in various leg shapes, including this relaxed full-length leg.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2024
The movie contains many of Park’s trademarks—a reversal at the midpoint, washes of hyperreal green, a chamber of private violence, octopus stuff—and is the first to fully marry his intensity and his restraint.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Sol De Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Jet Set Sol de Janeiro has won over the internet with its tropical vacation-reminiscent scented lotions, sprays, and body washes.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024
After 25 washes, the textiles maintain their appearance and performance.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2024
There are also several DIY fruit wash recipes on the web, with one of the most common being a mixture of water and distilled vinegar.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2024
These baby socks are made from a super-soft cotton and spandex blend that holds up well in the wash and provides plenty of ventilation for little feet.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
The best defense is washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
—Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 5 Apr. 2024
Plus, muslin typically washes well and doesn't shrink in the dryer.
—Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024
Once your hair is washed, move on to body care with one of the brand's super hydrating body washes or creamy body lotions.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 3 Apr. 2024
Nitrogen can be damaging to the environment when it's washed into surface water, driving excessive algae growth and causing harm to fish and other aquatic life.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
To prevent cracking and warping, always hand wash your bamboo utensils using warm water and mild dish soap.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
To do that, wash the ramps well under cool, running water.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
But Take Note The socks may leave fuzz behind during the first few wears, so consider washing them a few times before wearing them.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Over the years, Francis has washed the feet of women and Muslims, but this is the first time the foot-washing ceremony has involved women only.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
This Allure Best of Beauty Award winner provides a gorgeous sheen and soft wash of color that layers well on top of makeup and bare skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
The device is designed to vacuum, wash, and steam-clean messes on a variety of floor types.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The washes are vintage-inspired with low stretch, and the fit comes in various leg shapes, including this relaxed full-length leg.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2024
The movie contains many of Park’s trademarks—a reversal at the midpoint, washes of hyperreal green, a chamber of private violence, octopus stuff—and is the first to fully marry his intensity and his restraint.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Sol De Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Jet Set Sol de Janeiro has won over the internet with its tropical vacation-reminiscent scented lotions, sprays, and body washes.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024
After 25 washes, the textiles maintain their appearance and performance.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2024
There are also several DIY fruit wash recipes on the web, with one of the most common being a mixture of water and distilled vinegar.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2024
These baby socks are made from a super-soft cotton and spandex blend that holds up well in the wash and provides plenty of ventilation for little feet.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near wash
Cite this Entry
“Wash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wash. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to clean with water and usually a cleaning substance (as soap or detergent)
wash clothes
wash your hands
2
a
: to wet thoroughly with liquid
b
: to pass water over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior
3
: to flow along or splash or overflow against
waves wash the shore
4
: to pour or flow in a stream or current
the river washes against its banks
5
: to move or carry by the action of water
several trees were washed away by the flood
6
: to cover or smear lightly with a liquid (as whitewash or varnish)
7
: to run water over in order to separate out valuable matter
wash sand for gold
8
: to hold up under washing
this dress washes well
9
: to stand a test for truthfulness
that story won't wash
10
: to be worn away by washing
the heavy rain caused the bridge to wash out
wash
2 of 3 noun1
: the act or process or an instance of washing
2
: articles to be or being washed
3
a
: a piece of ground washed by the sea or river
b
Western
: the dry bed of a stream
4
: worthless especially liquid waste : refuse
5
a
: a thin coat of paint (as watercolor)
b
: a liquid used for coating a surface (as a wall) or for washing
6
: material carried along or deposited by running water
7
a
: backwash
b
: a disturbance in the air produced by the passage of a wing or propeller
wash
3 of 3 adjective
: washable
wash fabric
Medical Definition
1
: to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (as water)
2
: to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid
wash the wound with saline solution
3
: to pass through a liquid to carry off impurities or soluble components
1
: to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
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