sandblast

American  

[sand-blast, -blahst] / ˈsændˌblæst, -ˌblɑst /

noun

1. a blast of air or steam laden with sand, used to clean, grind, cut, or decorate hard surfaces, as of glass, stone, or metal.

2. the apparatus used to apply such a blast.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to clean, smooth, etc., with a sandblast.

sandblast British  

/ ˈsændˌblɑːst /

noun

1. a jet of sand or grit blown from a nozzle under air, water, or steam pressure

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verb

1. to clean, grind, or decorate (a surface) with a sandblast

Other Word Forms

• sandblaster noun

Etymology

Origin of sandblast

First recorded in 1870–75; sand + blast

Example Sentences

It doesn’t get any pettier and mean-girlie than “Did she sandblast her face or something? It’s very waxy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2025

For $165 to $180 per chair, his shop would sandblast the metal to remove all rust and paint.

From Washington Post • Mar. 3, 2023

In the name of inspiring little girls living in a male-dominated world, the book doesn’t so much airbrush Chanel’s story as sandblast it.

From The Guardian • Feb. 15, 2020

And on Friday, he told Lauer: “The Department of Energy has done tests. They’ve had people sandblast, paint over, concrete, do everything to any kind of nuclear material. You can’t get rid of it.”

From Slate • Jul. 27, 2015

“Well, Dan,” Joe said, “the falcons are gone. We’ll sandblast the aerie. Nothing to stop us from painting now.”

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George