dusting

noun

dust·​ing ˈdə-stiŋ How to pronounce dusting (audio)
plural dustings
1
: the act of making something clean by brushing or wiping away dirt and dust from the surface
The furniture needs a good dusting.
2
a
: a small amount of something that falls or is sprinkled over a surface
During summer, the cracked floor looks prehistoric under the desert sun; during winter, it's intermittently covered by sheets of ice and dustings of snow.Joseph Stromberg
Add pearl onions, mushrooms, and a dusting of marjoram.Hali Ramdene
b
: a faint or slight quality or amount
… sporting a dusting of stubble, DiSpirito runs Union Pacific, a paragon of gilded, inventive Manhattan dining.James Poniewozik

Examples of dusting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Finishing the blondie with a light dusting of flaky sea salt is brilliant. Scott Hocker, theweek, 10 Sep. 2024 Keeping up with dusting on a regular basis will help the air quality in your home and make those cozy nights on the couch much more comfortable. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024 My shelves were overrun with stuff, all meaningful to me, but needing dusting and eventually, thinning out. Erica Pandey, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024 But don’t overlook winter, as San Marino’s much emptier streets are even more romantic, especially if you’re treated to a light dusting of snow. Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dusting 

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dusting was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near dusting

Cite this Entry

“Dusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dusting. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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