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

Daly says the hotel installs flow limiters at the sinks, where a softer stream does not bother anyone shaving or washing up. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Always use a mesh laundry bag or protective hat cage when machine washing baseball caps. —Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 12 June 2026

Do energy-intensive chores, such as washing dishes and laundry, until off-peak hours. —Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026

That insight allowed the tracing of viral transmission, which in turn enabled him to prove that nurses in hospital maternity wards had been transmitting HSV between infants through a lack of hand-washing. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 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