dressing

American  

[dres-ing] / ˈdrɛs ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that dresses.

2. a sauce for food.

   salad dressing.

3. stuffing for a fowl.

   turkey dressing.

4. material used to dress or cover a wound.

5. manure, compost, or other fertilizers.

6. the ornamental detail of a building, especially that around openings.

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dressing British  

/ ˈdrɛsɪŋ /

noun

1. a sauce for food, esp for salad

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): stuffing.  a mixture of chopped and seasoned ingredients with which poultry, meat, etc, is stuffed before cooking

3. a covering for a wound, sore, etc

4. manure or artificial fertilizer spread on land

5. size used for stiffening textiles

6. the processes in the conversion of certain rough tanned hides into leather ready for use

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Etymology

Origin of dressing

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; dress, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The entirety of the 10th floor is occupied by the palatial primary suite, which features its own spa-style bathroom, a sauna, a workout room, dual dressing rooms, as well as a private terrace.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

I’ll order a salad with no dressing, and I won’t drink.’

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

She's "obsessed" with styling outfits and keeping up with the latest kits - and loves seeing fans dressing up on match days.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

"I guarantee after these astronauts fly around the moon, you're going to have more kids dressing up as astronauts for Halloween," Isaacman said during a recent television interview.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

I waited a few moments to catch my breath before facing the final layers of my dressing.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• filling
• stuffing