washing

[wosh-ing, waw-shing]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that washes; ablution.

2. clothes, linens, etc., washed or to be washed, especially those washed at one time; wash.

3. Often washings any liquid that has been used to wash something.

4. matter removed or carried off in washing something or by the force of water.

   The washings from numerous spring floods had clogged the mouth of the river.

5. Mining.

   1. material, as gold dust, obtained by washing earth, gravel, etc.

   2. the deposits so washed.

6. Metalworking.,  wash.

7. the act of making a wash sale.

washing

/ ˈwɒʃɪŋ /

noun

1. articles that have been or are to be washed together on a single occasion

2. liquid in which an article has been washed

3. something, such as gold dust or metal ore, that has been obtained by washing

4. a thin coat of something applied in liquid form

Word History and Origins

Origin of washing¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, washing is from the Middle English word wasschunge. See wash, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

When I turn on my washing machine, my knowledge of how it works doesn’t really have much to do with the cleanliness of the clothes that come out.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“Four and a half hours that woman was working in my hair — washing it, drying it, cutting it.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They found Smith washing up in his kitchen, and bloodstains throughout the flat.

Read more on BBC

You've finally figured out how to use the washing machine, your flatmates are starting to feel like friends, and the whirlwind of freshers' week is behind you.

Read more on BBC

Based in Bristol, the business has developed a filter for washing machines removing the greatest cause of microplastics in our oceans.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bath 
• bathing www.thesaurus.com
• laundry 
• soaking www.thesaurus.com