1
2
a
: scrub vegetation
b
: land covered with scrub vegetation
1
: a device composed of bristles typically set into a handle and used especially for sweeping, smoothing, scrubbing, or painting
2
: something resembling a brush: such as
a
: a bushy tail
b
: a feather tuft worn on a hat
3
: an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or a motor)
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light touch or momentary contact in passing
brushed; brushing; brushes
1
a
: to apply a brush to
b
: to apply with a brush
2
a
: to remove with passing strokes (as of a brush)
b
: to dispose of in an offhand way : dismiss
brushed him off
3
: to pass lightly over or across : touch gently against in passing
brusher
noun
: a brief encounter or skirmish
a brush with disaster
a brush with the law
brushed; brushing; brushes
: to move lightly or heedlessly
brushed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him
Synonyms
Examples of brush in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kadish Morris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
However, as Blackball and Holland noshed on In-N-Out after the session, the singer warned his pal, who was working at a box manufacturer at the time, that there were no guarantees that his line (and brush with stardom) would make the final cut.
—Daniel Kohn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Plus, the family of mushroom jars come equipped with cleaning brushes and funnels for filling.
—Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Now, a new generation of curators and conservators are working on the Throne, and their cozy laboratory at the museum, filled with magnifiers, sable brushes and purple nitrile gloves, is open to the public a few afternoons each week.
—Jeff MacGregor, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
When a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its catastrophic collapse, that day led to a shocking brush with death.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
The group will use mastication, a thinning technique that cuts trees and brush into small pieces to create a mulch-like material that spreads along the ground.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
Areas with grass that’s six or more inches high, brush, mesquite, and food such as seeds or cactus fruit are key.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
While a grout brush is the best weapon for tackling an entire shower or tub surround, a toothbrush paired with the right cleaning solution will do the trick for smaller jobs.
—Kalina Newman, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
Bathrooms have been long regarded as the ultimate sanctuary; a restful respite to brush your teeth, take a shower, and perfect your multi-step skincare routine.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
At 36mm — the same size as the 1963 original — three new models come in steel or steel and rose-gold, with dials of mother-of-pearl or brushed copper; the ideal pairing to a wistful of mixed-metal jewelry.
—Sarah Royce-Greensill, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The top portion of her hair was brushed back from her face and teased for a bit of volume at the front, then pinned at the crown, and the lower layers were styled in a cheeky, flirty little flick at the ends.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2024
Opt for a mouthwash that contains fluoride at a different time from brushing.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
For instance, brushing twice a day is recommended so that any food stuck in between the teeth can be cleared out immediately.
—Michael Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Ohtani brushed off a miscue of his own, getting tagged out on a first-inning double after failing to see Betts get held up in front of him at third base.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The board approved only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago, and brushed off requests for exceptions by dozens of groups of commuters.
—Cedar Attanasio, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Scattered around us are some of her artworks in progress; stacks of paper, brushes and books; and a plate of Dutch cookies.
—Kadish Morris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
However, as Blackball and Holland noshed on In-N-Out after the session, the singer warned his pal, who was working at a box manufacturer at the time, that there were no guarantees that his line (and brush with stardom) would make the final cut.
—Daniel Kohn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Plus, the family of mushroom jars come equipped with cleaning brushes and funnels for filling.
—Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Now, a new generation of curators and conservators are working on the Throne, and their cozy laboratory at the museum, filled with magnifiers, sable brushes and purple nitrile gloves, is open to the public a few afternoons each week.
—Jeff MacGregor, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
When a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its catastrophic collapse, that day led to a shocking brush with death.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
The group will use mastication, a thinning technique that cuts trees and brush into small pieces to create a mulch-like material that spreads along the ground.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
Areas with grass that’s six or more inches high, brush, mesquite, and food such as seeds or cactus fruit are key.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
While a grout brush is the best weapon for tackling an entire shower or tub surround, a toothbrush paired with the right cleaning solution will do the trick for smaller jobs.
—Kalina Newman, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
The air conditioning was more than capable on a sunny April day that brushed 90 degrees.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
Bathrooms have been long regarded as the ultimate sanctuary; a restful respite to brush your teeth, take a shower, and perfect your multi-step skincare routine.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
At 36mm — the same size as the 1963 original — three new models come in steel or steel and rose-gold, with dials of mother-of-pearl or brushed copper; the ideal pairing to a wistful of mixed-metal jewelry.
—Sarah Royce-Greensill, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The top portion of her hair was brushed back from her face and teased for a bit of volume at the front, then pinned at the crown, and the lower layers were styled in a cheeky, flirty little flick at the ends.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2024
Opt for a mouthwash that contains fluoride at a different time from brushing.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
For instance, brushing twice a day is recommended so that any food stuck in between the teeth can be cleared out immediately.
—Michael Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Ohtani brushed off a miscue of his own, getting tagged out on a first-inning double after failing to see Betts get held up in front of him at third base.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The board approved only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago, and brushed off requests for exceptions by dozens of groups of commuters.
—Cedar Attanasio, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brush.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near brush
Cite this Entry
“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brush
1 of 5 noun2
a
: short trees or shrubs of poor quality
b
: land covered with brush
brush
2 of 5 noun1
: a tool made of bristles set in a back or handle and used especially for cleaning, smoothing, or painting
2
: a bushy tail (as of a fox or squirrel)
3
: a conductor for an electric current between a moving and a still part of an electric motor or generator
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light stroke
brushlike
adjective
-ˌlīk
brush
3 of 5 verb1
a
: to clean, smooth, scrub, or paint with a brush
b
: to apply with or as if with a brush
2
a
: to remove with or as if with a brush
brush the lint off your coat
b
: to pay no attention to : dismiss
brush off criticism
3
: to pass lightly across : touch gently against in passing
twigs brushed my cheek
brush
4 of 5 noun
: a brief fight or meeting
a brush with disaster
brush
5 of 5 verb
: to move quickly past without stopping or paying attention
brushed by the reporters
Etymology
Noun
Middle English brusch "broken or cut twigs or branches," from early French broce "small broken branches, brushwood"
Noun
Middle English brusshe "brush (for sweeping)," derived from early French broisse
Noun
Middle English brusche "a rush, collision," from bruschen "to rush," probably from early French brosser "to dash through underbrush," from broce "brushwood"
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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