wash
verb (used with object)
to apply water or some other liquid to (something or someone) for the purpose of cleansing; cleanse by dipping, rubbing, or scrubbing in water or some other liquid.
have been washing
-
present perfect progressiveof wash.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Creatures called “blue dragons” have been washing up on Texas beaches.
From Slate ● Mar. 15, 2024
Experts suspect that the heat wave and drought may be the cause of the high numbers of fish and river dolphins, known as boto, which have been washing up dead.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2023
In the Black Sea port of Odesa, household garbage, mines, plastic, branches, and dead animals have been washing up along the city’s famed coastline after the dam disaster.
From New York Times ● Jun. 17, 2023
Thousands of dark blue creatures have been washing ashore in beaches across the state, littering the shores and bewildering passersby from Marin to Orange County.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2023
Here two women are carrying a basket with clean linen,—they have been washing for all these gentlefolks.
From What Shall We Do? by Leo Tolstoy, Count
