washing

noun

wash·​ing ˈwȯ-shiŋ 

ˈwä-

1

: the act or action of one that cleanses with water

2

: material obtained by washing

3

: articles washed or to be washed : wash

Examples of washing in a Sentence

These shirts will look great even after repeated washings.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since top load washers allow run for washing larger, bulkier items like blankets and comforters, their drum sizes tend to be larger than front load washers, which are predominantly for everyday clothes. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Half of my family worked in the factories, and my grandfather loved washing cars. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Tehran is demanding compensation for pollution in waters in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas, after video geolocated by CNN showed oil washing up on a beach around Qeshm Island, near the strait. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Upon discovering the tagging, staff staff and equipment were mobilized to remove the markings from the municipal sidewalks through cleaning and power washing, the statement says. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing washing

• do the washing-up
• put the washing out
• washing machine
• washing powder
• washing soda
• washing-up liquid

Rhymes for washing

• quashing
• sloshing
• squashing
• brainwashing
• handwashing
• whitewashing

Kids Definition

washing

noun

wash·​ing ˈwȯsh-iŋ 

ˈwäsh-

: articles washed or to be washed