washup

1 of 2

noun

wash·​up ˈwȯsh-ˌəp How to pronounce washup (audio)
ˈwäsh-
: the act or process of washing clean

wash up

2 of 2

verb

washed up; washing up; washes up

intransitive verb

1
: to be deposited by or as if by a swell of waves
seaweed washed up on the shore
2
: to wash one's face and hands
3
British : to wash the dishes after a meal

transitive verb

1
: to get rid of by washing
wash up the spilled milk
2

Examples of washup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To clean your face, either at the gym or back home, Kiehl’s face wash and moisturizer are an invigorating step in any washup routine. Naveen Kumar, CNN Underscored, 23 Sep. 2020 The old washup area became a walk-in pantry A half-wall divides the kitchen from the family room. Elle Decor Staff, ELLE Decor, 5 July 2012
Verb
Billions of crabs disappeared in the northern Pacific; sea lions and dolphins are washing up sick; iconic coral reefs are undergoing mass bleaching. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024 Not long after docking the boat and leaving the marina, however, word spread among fishing guides and scientists: A thrashing sawfish had washed up on a beach in Key West. Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024 Patrick never quite made the big leagues and is now more or less washed up, sleeping in his car and scrounging for food while counting on prize money, or at least an entrant’s fee, to get him to the next match. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024 The pesky microalgae often washes up from May through October, when water temperatures rise, but many major resorts are diligent about raking up the seaweed each morning. Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024 The Broncos, who made the expensive desperation leap to bring in Russell Wilson — who may not have been completely washed up, but in suds up to his navel — have told him to seek employment elsewhere. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 In January, a young right whale washed up dead on a Martha's Vineyard beach. CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024 Debris could wash up on nearby beaches over the next few days, and any human remains that are not recovered could float to the surface in the next week or two, Buzby said. Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 The whale was spotted floating near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the Virginian-Pilot reported, and its body washed up on the beach Sunday. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'washup.' 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

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of washup was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near washup

Cite this Entry

“Washup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/washup. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

wash up

verb
1
: to wash one's face and hands
2
: to bring to an end the force or value of
a scandal would wash you up as a sports hero
3
: to be deposited by or as if by waves
seaweed washed up on the shore
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