dry cleaning

American  

noun

1. the cleaning of garments, fabrics, draperies, etc., with any of various chemicals rather than water.

2. garments for cleaning in this way.

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Other Word Forms

• dry-cleaning
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dry cleaning

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Yes, the assistants would handle Wintour’s dry cleaning.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Hotel irons are sketchy and hotel dry cleaning is expensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Watching their dog, dropping off their dry cleaning or picking up a package are all forms of care.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Across the street, Hajji watched from his empty dry cleaning shop as the road cleared.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

“Make my coffee light and sweet, shine my shoes, pick up my dry cleaning, all for not a single penny: What else could you want?”

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin