1
a
: a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)
b
: a fungus producing mildew
2
: a discoloration caused by fungi
mildewed; mildewing; mildews
: to affect with or as if with mildew
: to become affected with mildew
Examples of mildew in a Sentence
Noun
The basement's damp walls were covered with mildew.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
To take one literal step at a time means seeing what's burrowing in the cracks, noticing the moss and mildew that's accumulated.
—Lauren Depino, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
The 10 cushions included promise to resist mold and mildew, fading, UV damage, water and weather, and a one-year limited warranty allows for plenty of time to ensure those promises hold.
—Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Show it some love (and get rid of the mildew lurking under the cap) with a weekly scrub with this bottle brush, which has a combination of gentle and abrasive bristles that’ll target all the nooks and crannies.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 25 Mar. 2024
Water early in the day so the leaves have time to dry out before night and don’t mildew.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024
In most cases, washing as usual with a quality heavy-duty detergent will remove the mildew smell.
—Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
Any leftover residue could cause mold or mildew to develop.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
Water damage was visible throughout the building, including in the exercise room, where the carpet was covered in apparent mold or mildew.
—Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024
Curbed, 9 Jan. 2024
The Issue: Mildew If the grout is mildewed or badly stained, mix a 50/50 solution of oxygen bleach and water, and apply it with a sponge or pump-up sprayer.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 5 Dec. 2018
Residents have reported sagging porches, mildewing wood and leaky roofs.
—Fox News, 30 Aug. 2018
Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse.
—Richard Lawson, vanityfair.com, 9 Oct. 2017
On a recent day, the inside walls of the home were mildewed and the clothes still in the closet were showing spots.
—Mimi Whitefield, miamiherald, 5 Oct. 2017
The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people.
—John Schwartz and Alan Blinder, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2017
For the past 20 years, my husband, Alex, and I—West Coast transplants and die-hard beach people—have spent a ridiculous amount of money to rent a mildewing summer house on the tip of Long Island.
—Rebecca Misner, CNT, 20 July 2017
Noun
When the fire-extinguishing work is done, to prevent mold and mildew, the plane’s bottom floor opens, allowing a full cleaning and drying out between baths.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
To take one literal step at a time means seeing what's burrowing in the cracks, noticing the moss and mildew that's accumulated.
—Lauren Depino, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
The 10 cushions included promise to resist mold and mildew, fading, UV damage, water and weather, and a one-year limited warranty allows for plenty of time to ensure those promises hold.
—Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Show it some love (and get rid of the mildew lurking under the cap) with a weekly scrub with this bottle brush, which has a combination of gentle and abrasive bristles that’ll target all the nooks and crannies.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 25 Mar. 2024
Water early in the day so the leaves have time to dry out before night and don’t mildew.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024
In most cases, washing as usual with a quality heavy-duty detergent will remove the mildew smell.
—Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
Any leftover residue could cause mold or mildew to develop.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
Water damage was visible throughout the building, including in the exercise room, where the carpet was covered in apparent mold or mildew.
—Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
Soggy drywall eventually gets replaced, only to grow damp and mildewed again within months.
—Curbed, 9 Jan. 2024
The Issue: Mildew If the grout is mildewed or badly stained, mix a 50/50 solution of oxygen bleach and water, and apply it with a sponge or pump-up sprayer.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 5 Dec. 2018
Residents have reported sagging porches, mildewing wood and leaky roofs.
—Fox News, 30 Aug. 2018
Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse.
—Richard Lawson, vanityfair.com, 9 Oct. 2017
On a recent day, the inside walls of the home were mildewed and the clothes still in the closet were showing spots.
—Mimi Whitefield, miamiherald, 5 Oct. 2017
The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people.
—John Schwartz and Alan Blinder, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2017
For the past 20 years, my husband, Alex, and I—West Coast transplants and die-hard beach people—have spent a ridiculous amount of money to rent a mildewing summer house on the tip of Long Island.
—Rebecca Misner, CNT, 20 July 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mildew.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English meledēaw honeydew; akin to Old High German militou honeydew
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1552, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of mildew was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing mildew
Dictionary Entries Near mildew
Cite this Entry
“Mildew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mildew. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
mildew
1 of 2 noun
mil·dew
ˈmil-ˌd(y)ü 
: a usually whitish growth produced on decaying material or living plants by fungi
also
: a fungus producing mildew
mildew
2 of 2 verb
: to affect with or become affected with mildew
Medical Definition
mildew
noun
mil·dew
ˈmil-ˌd(y)ü
1
: a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)
2
: a fungus producing mildew
More from Merriam-Webster on mildew
Nglish: Translation of mildew for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mildew
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