car wash

American  

Or carwash

noun

1. a place or structure having special equipment for washing automobiles.

2. the washing of an automobile.

   The service station is offering free car washes to draw customers.

---

Etymology

Origin of car wash

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

She’s looking for work as a cook after being laid off from a car wash in January.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The Arby’s employee noticed Cynthia’s Fiero parked at a car wash across the street from about 9 to 11:45 that night, hours after the stripogram was supposed to end.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Gonzalez Valencia was released from prison last year after reportedly serving time for suspicious payments related to a car wash she owned.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Now, the 37-year-old's car wash business is also due for demolition.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

So is the car wash on the other side of it, “black owned” spray-painted on one of its walls.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas