brush

1 of 5

noun (1)

1
2
a
: scrub vegetation
b
: land covered with scrub vegetation

brush

2 of 5

noun (2)

1
: a device composed of bristles typically set into a handle and used especially for sweeping, smoothing, scrubbing, or painting
2
: something resembling a brush: such as
a
: a bushy tail
b
: a feather tuft worn on a hat
3
: an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or a motor)
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light touch or momentary contact in passing

brush

3 of 5

verb (1)

brushed; brushing; brushes

transitive verb

1
a
: to apply a brush to
b
: to apply with a brush
2
a
: to remove with passing strokes (as of a brush)
b
: to dispose of in an offhand way : dismiss
brushed him off
3
: to pass lightly over or across : touch gently against in passing
brusher noun

brush

4 of 5

noun (3)

: a brief encounter or skirmish
a brush with disaster
a brush with the law

brush

5 of 5

verb (2)

brushed; brushing; brushes

intransitive verb

: to move lightly or heedlessly
brushed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him

Examples of brush in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Best Beauty Deals Amazon’s beauty department is bursting with deals, including drugstore darlings like a L’Oréal Paris mascara, an Aquaphor healing ointment, and this Revlon blow dry brush. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 Best Toilet Brush: Staff Toilet Brush Icky bacteria won’t stick to the silicone bristles on this toilet brush. Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2024 This is also wild land with the usual hazards to pets, including roaming coyotes and rattlesnakes hidden in the brush. Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 On the edge of the club’s cavernous main room, Torres fluffed Patrón’s bangs with what looked like a Mason Pearson brush. Amanda Fortini, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 In 2022, John Edelman, the former head of Design Within Reach, bought Heller, and is now reissuing the brush. The New York Times, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 While some may argue that the primary utility of goats is for clearing land of weeds and brush, the horned animals are turning into the yogis of barn creatures. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 And considering that each brush in the trio comes out to less than $3 apiece, you’ll be stocked up with budget-friendly toothbrushes for the rest of your travels this year. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2024 If the kit doesn’t include a brush, use a paintbrush. Tracee Cornforth, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
The American Dental Association recommends brushing for a full two minutes. Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024 Regulators have brushed off the idea of any systemic threat to the banking system as a result of a few smaller bank failures, but there is a worst-case scenario that’s worth considering, according to John Sedunov, professor of finance at Villanova University. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 Despite initially brushing it off, Pritchard says the feeling ultimately returned a week later. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 Jae Bleiberg contends that One brushed off legitimate claims of fraud. Craig Silverman, ProPublica, 11 Mar. 2024 At that point, they can be gently brushed off the plant and collected. Carly Westerfield, Bon Appétit, 9 Mar. 2024 The set is made from polyester-spandex brushed knit material to prioritize your comfort. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2024 Likewise, Trump has brushed off concerns about what's left of the GOP primary race. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 On her eyes, Saweetie wore layers of sapphire blue shadow all over the upper lid almost to her brow bone, with the same shade brushed below the lower lashline and into the inner corners. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brush.' 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

Noun (1)

Middle English brusch, from an Anglo-French form akin to Old French broce brushwood, Medieval Latin brusca

Noun (2)

Middle English brusshe, from an Anglo-French form akin to Middle French broisse

Noun (3)

Middle English brusche rush, hostile collision, from bruschen

Verb (2)

Middle English bruschen to rush, probably from Middle French brosser to dash through underbrush, from broce

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

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

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brush was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near brush

Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

brush

1 of 5 noun
1
2
a
: short trees or shrubs of poor quality
b
: land covered with brush

brush

2 of 5 noun
1
: a tool made of bristles set in a back or handle and used especially for cleaning, smoothing, or painting
2
: a bushy tail (as of a fox or squirrel)
3
: a conductor for an electric current between a moving and a still part of an electric motor or generator
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light stroke
brushlike
-ˌlīk
adjective

brush

3 of 5 verb
1
a
: to clean, smooth, scrub, or paint with a brush
b
: to apply with or as if with a brush
2
a
: to remove with or as if with a brush
brush the lint off your coat
b
: to pay no attention to : dismiss
brush off criticism
3
: to pass lightly across : touch gently against in passing
twigs brushed my cheek

brush

4 of 5 noun
: a brief fight or meeting
a brush with disaster

brush

5 of 5 verb
: to move quickly past without stopping or paying attention
brushed by the reporters
Etymology

Noun

Middle English brusch "broken or cut twigs or branches," from early French broce "small broken branches, brushwood"

Noun

Middle English brusshe "brush (for sweeping)," derived from early French broisse

Noun

Middle English brusche "a rush, collision," from bruschen "to rush," probably from early French brosser "to dash through underbrush," from broce "brushwood"

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