dry cleaning
Americannoun
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the cleaning of garments, fabrics, draperies, etc., with any of various chemicals rather than water.
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garments for cleaning in this way.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dry cleaning
First recorded in 1810–20
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.
PCE is widely used in dry cleaning and can also be found in consumer products including arts and crafts adhesives, spot removers and stainless steel polish.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
Chemicals are a good example: Global exports of tetrachloroethylene, used in dry cleaning, have risen 25-fold since 2019.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
Yes, the assistants would handle Wintour’s dry cleaning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026
Watching their dog, dropping off their dry cleaning or picking up a package are all forms of care.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 19, 2026
I think she even dated the editor for a while, but he ended up marrying the girl who did his dry cleaning.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
