- present participle of dry.
drying
Americanadjective
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causing dryness.
a drying breeze.
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designed to become or capable of becoming dry and hard on exposure to air.
noun
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the action or process of making or becoming dry
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Also called (not now in technical usage): seasoning. the processing of timber until it has a moisture content suitable for the purposes for which it is to be used
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of drying
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at dry, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some polygonal formations previously examined by Curiosity clearly began as cracks in drying mud.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026
“Our fuels have been drying out over time and are at pretty much critical levels right now,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
This includes drying riverbeds, fish in distress, an accumulation of algae, wildfire risk and concern from farmers about crop growth, grazing conditions and water availability for livestock.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Since June, a succession of heat waves have pummeled the continent, straining its infrastructure and drying out swaths of territory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
A breeze arrives, blowing away mean words, drying my cheeks.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
