1
2
a
: scrub vegetation
b
: land covered with scrub vegetation
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
brushed; brushing; brushes
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
: a brief encounter or skirmish
a brush with disaster
a brush with the law
brushed; brushing; brushes
: to move lightly or heedlessly
brushed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him
Synonyms
Examples of brush in a Sentence
Verb (1)
spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement
Noun (3)
the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded
Verb (2)
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Recent Examples on the Web
Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The travel set has 14 brushes, including a flat foundation brush and a large powder brush.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2024
Arrange the rings on the prepared pan and brush the top lightly with olive oil.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brush 
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Noun
Of course, five minutes in the attic on a summer day, or one accidental brush against the insulation, quickly drives home the reality that the attic is just an attic.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The travel set has 14 brushes, including a flat foundation brush and a large powder brush.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
Then brush the outside of the bird with oil or butter before seasoning as desired.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2024
Arrange the rings on the prepared pan and brush the top lightly with olive oil.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brush
Dictionary Entries Near brush
Cite this Entry
“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brush
1 of 5 noun2
a
: short trees or shrubs of poor quality
b
: land covered with brush
brush
2 of 5 noun1
: 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
adjective
-ˌlīk
brush
3 of 5 verb1
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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