hand-washing

American  

[hand-wosh-ing, -wawsh‐] / ˈhændˌwɒʃ ɪŋ, -ˌwɔʃ‐ /

Or handwashing

noun

1. the act or activity of laundering something by hand.

2. the act or activity of washing one’s hands.

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Etymology

Origin of hand-washing

First recorded in 1790–95; hand ( def. ) + washing ( def. )

Example Sentences

Strict hygiene instructions, including vigorous hand-washing, were followed, at all times.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

CBS News reported that last month, inspectors found what appeared to be mold and mildew around the hand-washing sinks used by workers preparing ready-to-eat meats.

From Salon • Aug. 29, 2024

As the pandemic fades, many people have abandoned the basic tools for fighting the coronavirus — masks, physical distancing, hand sanitizer and aggressive hand-washing.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2024

Such measures included vaccination, keeping distance from sick people, staying at home when ill, getting tested and medical care as needed, wearing masks as appropriate, ensuring good ventilation, and regular hand-washing, it said.

From Reuters • Nov. 23, 2023

These tough ratings sat up in bed darning their socks, and insisted on hand-washing their own smalls, which they dried on washing lines improvised from string, suspended along the radiators.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan