wear and tear

noun

: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially : normal depreciation

Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence

my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
Recent Examples on the Web Best of all, there were no signs of wear and tear after excessive use. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 The range in landing numbers is attributed to varying levels of wear and tear across different runways. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 Also, impressively, the bag maintained its shape and aesthetic despite the inevitable wear and tear of being on the go. Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024 Criteria for selection took into account factors like ease of setup and use, general functionality, technical capability and longer-term wear and tear. Forbes Press Releases, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Funds should come from taxing cars and trucks using the roads to ensure that vehicles creating the wear and tear pay. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 In addition to less wear and tear on private cars, other incentives would probably be needed. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2024 After many washes, the fabric retained its soft-as-a-cloud texture and didn’t show any signs of wear and tear. Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2024 These are tiny, microscopic craters, usually caused by wear and tear of sand and other debris landing on it at high speed. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wear and tear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear and tear was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near wear and tear

Cite this Entry

“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wear and tear

noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use

More from Merriam-Webster on wear and tear

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