1
: fine particles of matter (as of earth)
2
: the particles into which something disintegrates
3
a
: something worthless
b
: a state of humiliation
4
a
: the earth especially as a place of burial
b
: the surface of the ground
5
a
: a cloud of dust
b
6
archaic
: a single particle (as of earth)
7
British
: refuse ready for collection
dusted; dusting; dusts
1
archaic
: to make dusty
2
: to make free of dust
dust the living room
3
a
: to sprinkle with fine particles
a cake dusted with sugar
b
: to sprinkle in the form of dust
4
: to throw a fastball close to (a batter) : brush back
—often used with off
5
: to defeat badly (as in a race)
1
of a bird
: to work dust into the feathers
2
: to remove dust
3
: to give off dust
Examples of dust in a Sentence
Noun
The floor was covered with dust.
You can see the dust particles floating through the air.
There is not a speck of dust in that house.
As the car sped down the dirt road, it left a cloud of dust behind.
He wiped the chalk dust off his hands.
Verb
I dust at least once a week.
Dust the pan with flour.
The crops will be dusted with pesticide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
Such a characteristic suggests the possibility that planets in the disks are clearing a path by pulling in gas and dust under their own gravity – not unlike how a snowplow clears roadways.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
My trick with this set is to detach the plant from the base, then gently run over the base, leaves, and petals with a dusting cloth.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dust
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
The dust has begun to settle from the Dallas Cowboys’ trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, and pundits are voicing their opinions.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
Such a characteristic suggests the possibility that planets in the disks are clearing a path by pulling in gas and dust under their own gravity – not unlike how a snowplow clears roadways.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
After a tough 2024 season, San Diego State is looking to dust itself off and hope after an extensive roster turnover that this season will be different.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
My trick with this set is to detach the plant from the base, then gently run over the base, leaves, and petals with a dusting cloth.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dust
Cite this Entry
“Dust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dust. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dust
1 of 2 noun1
a
: fine dry powdery particles (as of earth)
b
: a fine powder
2
: the powdery remains of bodies once alive
3
: something worthless
4
: the surface of the ground
dust
2 of 2 verb1
: to make free of dust : brush or wipe away dust
dusted the living room
2
: to sprinkle with dust or as a dust
dust a pan with flour
dust insecticide on plants
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