mouthwash

American  

[mauth-wawsh, -wosh] / ˈmaʊθˌwɔʃ, -ˌwɒʃ /

noun

• mouthwashes
  plural

1. a solution, often containing antiseptic, astringent, and breath-sweetening agents, used for cleansing the mouth and teeth, and for gargling.

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mouthwash British  

/ ˈmaʊθˌwɒʃ /

noun

1. a medicated aqueous solution, used for gargling and for cleansing the mouth

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mouthwashes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mouthwash

First recorded in 1830–40; mouth + wash

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mouthwash mouthwashes

In November, Hsu surprised the industry and investors by announcing that his company would purchase Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol painkillers, Listerine mouthwash and Neutrogena skincare products, for more than $40 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine but appears to provide longer-lasting residual activity.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2025

We all think we know how to brush our teeth - a scrub morning and night, a rinse with water and maybe a minty mouthwash for good measure.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2025

All teeth yellow with time, and no amount of brushing and mouthwash can fix that—you’d have to have veneers or get bleach treatments, common choices for many Americans, particularly those in the public eye.

From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2025

He also packed up all the little bottles of shampoo and hand lotion and mouthwash in the bathroom.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

"Different antimicrobial mouthwashes, whether available over-the-counter or on prescription, can be used in the management of gingivitis, dental caries, periodontal diseases, halitosis, etc."

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2025

In the UK, antiseptic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine are commonly used to treat dental plaque and gum disease.

From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2024

Xylitol in particular has been shown to be effective, and can be found in mouthwashes, toothpastes and sugar-free gums.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2022

“This is a step toward an answer about how mouthwashes do against this virus in this area of the body,” Akselrod said.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 22, 2020

But generally, if you’re getting regular cleanings in-office and perhaps the occasional whitening treatment, at-home toothpastes, gels, and mouthwashes can be very helpful for maintaining your pearly whites.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2018

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