washed; washing; washes
1
a
: to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (such as water)
b
: to remove (something, such as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid
2
: to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva
3
4
: to flow along or dash or overflow against
waves washing the shore
5
: to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion
houses washed away by the flood
6
a
: to subject (something, such as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material
b
: to separate (particles) from a substance (such as ore) by agitation with or in water
c(1)
: to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components
(2)
: to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components
7
a
: to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (such as whitewash or varnish)
b
: to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush
8
: to cause to swirl
washing coffee around in his cup
9
: launder sense 3
how the mob washes its money through corrupt bankers—
Vincent Teresa
Vincent Teresa1
: to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2
: to become worn away by the action of water
3
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
4
a
: to become carried along on water : drift
cakes of ice washing along
b
: to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current
waves of pioneers washing westward—Green Peyton
Green Peyton5
: to serve as a cleansing agent
this soap washes thoroughly
6
a
: to undergo laundering
this dress doesn't wash well
b(1)
: to undergo testing successfully : work sense 3
an interesting theory, but it just won't wash
(2)
: to gain acceptance : inspire belief
the story didn't wash with me
1
2
a
: the act or process or an instance of washing or being washed
b
: articles to be washed, being washed, or having been washed
3
: the surging action or sound of waves
also
: something resembling this action or sound
the warm wash of applause that followed her … introduction —John Updike
John Updike 4
5
a
: a sweep or splash especially of color made by or as if by a long stroke of a brush
in the gray wash of early morning
b
: a thin coat of paint (such as watercolor)
c
: a thin liquid used for coating a surface (such as a wall)
6
: lotion
7
: loose or eroded surface material of the earth (such as rock debris) transported and deposited by running water
8
a
b
: a disturbance in a fluid (such as water or the air) produced by the passage of an airfoil or propeller
9
: a situation in which losses and gains or advantages and disadvantages balance each other
1
: involving essentially simultaneous purchase and sale of the same security
spurious market activity resulting from wash trading
2
: washable
wash fabric
Synonyms
Examples of wash in a Sentence
Verb
We have to wash the dishes.
Did you wash your hands?
The flooding washed sand and silt all over the area.
The pollution washes into rivers from nearby factories.
Water washed over the deck of the ship.
Waves washed up onto the beach.
Noun
My jeans are in the wash.
We could hear the wash of the waves against the rocks.
The wash from speedboats is dangerous for swimmers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024
While cooking, avoid cross contamination by washing hands and surfaces frequently, especially after contact with raw meats and produce.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024
Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
Ultimately, it's become a mainstay in my wash routine.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wash 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The easiest way to keep your water bottle clean is to make washing it part of your daily routine, Malchuk says, just like brushing your teeth.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024
While cooking, avoid cross contamination by washing hands and surfaces frequently, especially after contact with raw meats and produce.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024
Noun
Additionally, the tribe will share five washes with the Navajo Nation, subject to an intertribal agreement.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
Ultimately, it's become a mainstay in my wash routine.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wash
Dictionary Entries Near wash
Cite this Entry
“Wash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wash. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to clean with water and usually a cleaning substance (as soap or detergent)
wash clothes
wash your hands
2
a
: to wet thoroughly with liquid
b
: to pass water over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior
3
: to flow along or splash or overflow against
waves wash the shore
4
: to pour or flow in a stream or current
the river washes against its banks
5
: to move or carry by the action of water
several trees were washed away by the flood
6
: to cover or smear lightly with a liquid (as whitewash or varnish)
7
: to run water over in order to separate out valuable matter
wash sand for gold
8
: to hold up under washing
this dress washes well
9
: to stand a test for truthfulness
that story won't wash
10
: to be worn away by washing
the heavy rain caused the bridge to wash out
wash
2 of 3 noun1
: the act or process or an instance of washing
2
: articles to be or being washed
3
a
: a piece of ground washed by the sea or river
b
Western
: the dry bed of a stream
4
: worthless especially liquid waste : refuse
5
a
: a thin coat of paint (as watercolor)
b
: a liquid used for coating a surface (as a wall) or for washing
6
: material carried along or deposited by running water
7
a
: backwash
b
: a disturbance in the air produced by the passage of a wing or propeller
wash
3 of 3 adjective
: washable
wash fabric
Medical Definition
1
: to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (as water)
2
: to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid
wash the wound with saline solution
3
: to pass through a liquid to carry off impurities or soluble components
1
: to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
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