wash

1 of 4

verb

ˈwȯsh How to pronounce wash (audio) ˈwäsh How to pronounce wash (audio)
chiefly Midland also
ˈwȯrsh How to pronounce wash (audio)
 or  ˈwärsh
washed; washing; washes

transitive verb

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
a
: to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid
b(1)
: to wet thoroughly : drench
(2)
: to overspread with light : suffuse
c
: to pass a liquid (such as water) over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior
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 bankersVincent Teresa

intransitive verb

1
: 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 westwardGreen Peyton
5
: 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

wash

2 of 4

noun

1
a
: a piece of ground washed by the sea or river
b
: bog, marsh
c(1)
: a shallow body of water
(2)
: a shallow creek
d
Western US : the dry bed of a stream

called also dry wash

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
4
a
: worthless especially liquid waste : refuse
b
: an insipid beverage
c
: vapid writing or speech
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
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

wash

3 of 4

adjective

1
: involving essentially simultaneous purchase and sale of the same security
spurious market activity resulting from wash trading
2
: washable
wash fabric

Wash

4 of 4

abbreviation

Phrases
wash one's hands of
: to disclaim interest in, responsibility for, or further connection with

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 Web
Verb
The high tide and winds that pounded the area on Sunday washed nearly half of the sand away, mere days after it was placed. Lola Fadulu, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Many people were made aware of these possibilities during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the earliest recommendations from health officials included washing your hands, cleaning surfaces and not touching your face. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Creatures called blue dragons are washing onto the shores of Texas beaches. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 For the best results, wash them in cold water with no bleach and tumble dry on low. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 By using unique employee ID codes or employee RFID badges (the device has a bluetooth reader that knows your badge has entered the handwash area), the system can track who’s washed their hands and when. Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Bathers sit on stone slabs under mosaic tiles, lather with traditional black soap and wash with scalding water from plastic buckets. Sam Metz, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 These employees washed their hands and donned new gloves to continue with their tasks. Michael Braga, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Prosecutor Kristin Dewalt said they were forced to wash themselves with the same water used to clean up their urine and feces. CBS News, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
Body wash, bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner, plus 48-hour antiperspirant make up the next category and feature three luxury scents. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 Growing up in the suburbs of Westchester, my visits to the salon would always include a wash and blow-dry. Annie Blay, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 Gloved employees also moved between the cook line and the prep area — through a swinging door — without a proper hand wash. Michael Braga, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 The space includes a restroom, sinks, lounge chair, diaper changing area, microwave, ice machine, bottle wash station and more, Riechers said. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 This Texas farmhouse added a sweet breakfast nook with wood tones and florals to match the farmhouse style. 04 of 55 Mix Wood Washes Don't be afraid to use different washes of soft color in your wood selections to create an all-over rustic look. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 The deal also includes terms for water in five washes shared by the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Mess is inevitable when gathered around a dinner table with friends and family, luckily, the table runner is easy to care for—machine wash in cold water and tumble dry. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 Republican businessman Eric Hovde jumped in the race for one of Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate seats Tuesday, setting up a contest with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, and prompting a wash of criticism of his background and motivations. Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English wascan; akin to Old High German waskan to wash and perhaps to Old English wæter water

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wash was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wash

Cite this Entry

“Wash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wash. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wash

1 of 3 verb
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 noun
1
: 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
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

wash

1 of 2 transitive verb
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

intransitive verb

1
: to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water

wash

2 of 2 noun
: a liquid medicinal preparation used especially for cleansing or antisepsis see eyewash, mouthwash

More from Merriam-Webster on wash

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