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wear and tear
noun
: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially
: normal depreciation
Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence
my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
Recent Examples on the Web
The measure intends to limit the congestion and wear and tear tourists can cause a city.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 June 2024
Regularly examine the condition of your plastic cutting board for visible signs of wear and tear.
—Samantha Hunter, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 June 2024
The cubes come in a variety of sizes and are made with durable polyester to withstand any wear and tear.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2024
Fixing damage caused by the tenant and their guests, excluding normal wear and tear.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wear and tear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wear and tear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1666, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near wear and tear
Cite this Entry
“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
wear and tear
noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use
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