cleaner

noun

clean·​er ˈklē-nər 

plural cleaners

1

a

: one whose work is cleaning

b

: dry cleaner

also : a dry-cleaning shop

—usually used in plural

2

: a preparation for cleaning

3

: an implement or machine for cleaning

see also take to the cleaners

Synonyms

• soap

Examples of cleaner in a Sentence

He recommends using baking soda as a general household cleaner.

a kitchen shelf loaded with household cleaners

Recent Examples on the Web

Stock it with a portable air filter or air cleaner, and consider buying N95 face masks. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Hand cleaner not provided at lavatory or hand washing sink. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

Samira, a 19-year-old student from Kabul, was in a religious education class on Wednesday when a cleaner entered the room and whispered something to her teacher, who ran out, and then came back minutes later, beaming with her phone. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025

Frontline workers include cashiers, cleaners, health care and child care professionals and bank tellers, among others. —Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cleaner

• dry cleaner
• house cleaner
• pipe cleaner
• the cleaner's
• vacuum cleaner

Rhymes for cleaner

• diener
• gleaner
• greener
• keener
• leaner
• lienor
• meaner
• screener
• convener
• convenor
• demeanor
• demeanour

Kids Definition

cleaner

noun

clean·​er ˈklē-nər 

1

: one whose work is cleaning

2

: a substance used for cleaning

3

: a device or machine for cleaning