washing

[ wosh-ing, waw-shing ]

/ ˈwɒʃ ɪŋ, ˈwɔ ʃɪŋ /

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See synonyms for washing on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of a person or thing that washes; ablution.

clothes, linens, etc., washed or to be washed, especially those washed at one time; wash.

Often washings . any liquid that has been used to wash something.

matter removed or carried off in washing something or by the force of water: The washings from numerous spring floods had clogged the mouth of the river.

Mining.

material, as gold dust, obtained by washing earth, gravel, etc.
the deposits so washed.

Metalworking. wash (def. 45).

the act of making a wash sale.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of washing

First recorded in 1175–1225, washing is from the Middle English word wasschunge.See wash, -ing¹

Words nearby washing

wash goods, wash-hand basin, wash house, washin, washiness, washing, washing machine, washing powder, washing soda, Washington, Washington and the cherry tree

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use washing in a sentence

Better battery-charged heated gloves will even offer the ability to remove the electrical components to allow for washing and drying gloves.
Best winter gloves: Our picks for touch screen gloves, ski gloves, and more|PopSci Commerce Team|February 2, 2021|Popular-Science
Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.
Coronavirus variant first found in South Africa has now arrived in Maryland|Samantha Schmidt, Meagan Flynn|January 30, 2021|Washington Post
By keeping up with your social distancing, hand washing, and mask-wearing, you will thank yourself later.
What you can do right now to protect yourself from the new COVID-19 variants|Claire Maldarelli|January 29, 2021|Popular-Science
Once the water bills started piling up, Shara Sin and her children switched to eating off paper plates to avoid the cost of washing.
San Diegans Are Drowning in Water Debt During COVID-19|MacKenzie Elmer|January 27, 2021|Voice of San Diego

This pair directly targets the heel, feet, and calf, and they’re anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking to allow for multiple wears without consistent washing.
Compression socks to ease aches and support travel|PopSci Commerce Team|January 20, 2021|Popular-Science
For days, the ruble has been falling and salaries shrinking; shoppers have rushed to snap up TV sets and washing machines.
After His Disastrous Annual Press Conference, Putin Needs A Hug|Anna Nemtsova|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Followers had traveled many miles to mourn the loss, and aid in the ritual washing, dressing, and honoring of the body.
Jail Threats for Sierra Leone Ebola Victims’ Families|Abby Haglage|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As infants, my kids ate food right off the floor without washing or boiling.
A Doctor Explains Why Cruise Ships Should Be Banned|Kent Sepkowitz|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The gloves washing with the alcohol, that makes sense to me.
New York Nurses Are the Calm in Ebola’s Storm|Abby Haglage|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some facilities had begun erecting “bamboo hand washing stations” at the entrance to hospitals, but not enough.
$10,000 a Month for Ebola Fighters|Abby Haglage|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At this same time they seized in Nangasaqui a servant of the father provincial, Matheo Couros, who was washing his clothes.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
With Wright's stain it can be brought out by staining longer and washing less than for the ordinary blood-stain.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
"Farmer Green's cat was washing her face on the doorsteps," Sandy explained triumphantly.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
She peeped out at him two or three times as she stood washing herself in the little basin between the windows.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Is spring water fit for washing the iodized paper; if it contains either sulphate or bicarbonate of lime or muriate of soda?
Notes and Queries, Number 177, March 19, 1853|Various

British Dictionary definitions for washing

washing

/ (ˈwɒʃɪŋ) /

noun

articles that have been or are to be washed together on a single occasion

liquid in which an article has been washed

something, such as gold dust or metal ore, that has been obtained by washing

a thin coat of something applied in liquid form

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

washing

Origin of washing

Words nearby washing

Words related to washing

How to use washing in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for washing