1
a(1)
: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water
(2)
: a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing)
(3)
: a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge
b
: any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults
2
: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge)
3
: one who lives on others
4
a
: a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough
b
: a whipped dessert usually containing whites of eggs or gelatin
c
: a metal (such as platinum) obtained in porous form usually by reduction without fusion
titanium sponge
d
: the egg mass of a crab
5
: an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix
sponged; sponging
1
: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge
2
: to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge
—often used with out
3
: to get by sponging on another
4
: to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge
1
: to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge
2
: to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature
sponged off of her sister
3
: to dive or dredge for sponges
sponger
noun
Synonyms
Examples of sponge in a Sentence
Noun
finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job
Verb
She sponged up the spilt milk.
He sponged off his face.
She sponged the dirt off her shirt.
She always sponges meals from us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024
When Paul cuts it, there are green layers of spinach sponge inside with avocado and chocolate icing in between the layers.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Apply the solution: Dampen a clean cloth or sponge with the detergent solution and gently blot the stain.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sponge 
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Noun
Cleaning one efficiently might take a slender bottle-cleaning brush or, more simply, a soft sponge that’s easy to manipulate around its curves without missing any spots.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024
When Paul cuts it, there are green layers of spinach sponge inside with avocado and chocolate icing in between the layers.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Mix a solution of one part bleach to five parts water in a large bucket and use a bristled scrub brush, cloth, rag, or sponge to scrub each section of the fence, starting from the top and working your way to the bottom.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Apply the solution: Dampen a clean cloth or sponge with the detergent solution and gently blot the stain.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sponge
Articles Related to sponge
Dictionary Entries Near sponge
Cite this Entry
“Sponge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sponge. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sponge
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a springy mass of fibers and spicules that forms the skeleton of a group of aquatic animals and is able to absorb water freely
also
: a piece of this material or of a natural or synthetic product with similar properties used especially for cleaning
b
: any of the phylum of primitive mostly marine animals that are the source of natural sponges, have a body of loosely connected cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or flexible fibers, and are filter feeders that live permanently attached to a solid surface as adults
2
: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to soak up fluids or apply medicine)
3
: one who lives on others : sponger
4
a
: raised dough (as for yeast bread)
b
: a whipped dessert usually containing egg whites
sponge
2 of 2 verb
sponged; sponging
1
: to clean or wipe with or as if with a sponge
2
: to absorb with or like a sponge
3
: to get something or live at the expense of another
sponger
noun
Medical Definition
sponge
1 of 2 noun1
: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb liquid
2
a
: a small pad made of multiple folds of gauze or of cotton and gauze used to mop blood from a surgical incision, to carry inhalant medicaments to the nose, or to cover a superficial wound as a dressing
b
: a porous dressing (as of fibrin or gelatin) applied to promote wound healing
c
: a plastic prosthesis used in chest cavities following lung surgery
3
: an absorbent contraceptive device impregnated with spermicide that is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix and act as a barrier to sperm
sponge
2 of 2 transitive verb
sponged; sponging
: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge
sponge the patient's back
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