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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.


Etymology

Origin of hand-washing

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

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.

“We have tried to intervene with limited resources by setting up a hand-washing station and providing some personal protective equipment for staff,” Lusenge told the Journal by email.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

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

That same day, a King County health inspection found other violations and cited the restaurant for a lack of adequate hand-washing facilities and food worker cards.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2024

I waited, listening to footsteps come and go, to the water-sounds of hand-washing and flushing.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

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