housecleaning

American  

[hous-klee-ning] / ˈhaʊsˌkli nɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of cleaning a house, room, etc., and its furnishings, especially the act of cleaning thoroughly and completely.

2. the act of improving or reforming by weeding out excess or corrupt personnel or of revising methods of operation.

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Etymology

Origin of housecleaning

First recorded in 1860–65; house + cleaning

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

housecleaning

While preparing for the country’s planned celebration of its 250th birthday, Trump decided to do a little housecleaning and update the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, vowing to make it better than ever.

From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2026

He replaced none of the Fed’s senior staff directors on arrival, a pointed contrast with the housecleaning some had braced for.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

But even after a new album — the band’s 12th — was released in April, concert sales lagged, leading to the cancellations and a housecleaning behind the scenes.

From New York Times ● Jun. 6, 2024

Variously voiced tales ranging from a shocking deathbed confession, a macabre housecleaning service, a half-haunted house and an interstellar thrill ride will engage even jaded listeners.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2023

Its hair was so matted and covered with leaves that it looked like an owl’s nest in need of housecleaning.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander