1
: fine particles of matter (as of earth)
2
: the particles into which something disintegrates
3
a
: something worthless
b
: a state of humiliation
4
a
: the earth especially as a place of burial
b
: the surface of the ground
5
a
: a cloud of dust
b
6
archaic
: a single particle (as of earth)
7
British
: refuse ready for collection
dusted; dusting; dusts
1
archaic
: to make dusty
2
: to make free of dust
dust the living room
3
a
: to sprinkle with fine particles
a cake dusted with sugar
b
: to sprinkle in the form of dust
4
: to throw a fastball close to (a batter) : brush back
—often used with off
5
: to defeat badly (as in a race)
1
of a bird
: to work dust into the feathers
2
: to remove dust
3
: to give off dust
Synonyms
Examples of dust in a Sentence
Noun
The floor was covered with dust.
You can see the dust particles floating through the air.
There is not a speck of dust in that house.
As the car sped down the dirt road, it left a cloud of dust behind.
He wiped the chalk dust off his hands.
Verb
I dust at least once a week.
Dust the pan with flour.
The crops will be dusted with pesticide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
Instead, use a damp towel or microfiber cloth, which can trap and lock in dust, reducing the amount that’s stirred up when cleaning.
—Alyssa Shaffer, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2024
Jeanne Lyons Davis, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024
Riding this velvety mouthfeel is a torrent of toffee, nutmeg and cinnamon dusted creme brûlée.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dust 
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Noun
This Roomba sweeps and sucks up dust for 120 minutes on a single charge.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
Instead, use a damp towel or microfiber cloth, which can trap and lock in dust, reducing the amount that’s stirred up when cleaning.
—Alyssa Shaffer, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2024
Verb
Flocking means dusting your tree with a white synthetic powder to create a snowy scene.
—Jeanne Lyons Davis, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024
Riding this velvety mouthfeel is a torrent of toffee, nutmeg and cinnamon dusted creme brûlée.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dust
Dictionary Entries Near dust
Cite this Entry
“Dust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dust. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dust
1 of 2 noun1
a
: fine dry powdery particles (as of earth)
b
: a fine powder
2
: the powdery remains of bodies once alive
3
: something worthless
4
: the surface of the ground
dust
2 of 2 verb1
: to make free of dust : brush or wipe away dust
dusted the living room
2
: to sprinkle with dust or as a dust
dust a pan with flour
dust insecticide on plants
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