Definition of dew
1 meteorology : moisture condensed upon the surfaces of cool bodies especially at night wet with morning dew
2 : something resembling dew in purity, freshness, or power to refresh … the golden dew of sleep … — William Shakespeare
3 : moisture especially when appearing in minute droplets: such asa : tearsb : sweatc botany : droplets of water produced by a plant in transpiration
dew
transitive verbExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of dew in a Sentence
The grass was wet with the morning dew.
Recent Examples of dew from the Web
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Humidity levels won’t be too uncomfortable as dew points drop a bit into the low 60s.
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The pocket-sized Kestrel 4000 gauges the usual array of meteorological data (barometric pressure, altitude, temperature) as well as that which serves resident fire jumpers and bush pilots (wind speed, humidity, and dew point).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dew'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
This is a deposit of water droplets formed at night by the condensation of water vapor from the air onto the surfaces of exposed objects. Dew forms on clear nights, when exposed surfaces lose heat by radiation and are thus usually colder than the air. The cold surface cools the air in its vicinity, and, if the air is humid enough, it may cool below its dew point, the temperature at which water vapor condenses out of the air onto the surface.
Origin and Etymology of dew
Middle English, from Old English dēaw; akin to Old High German tou dew, Greek thein to run
First Known Use: before 12th century
DEW
Definition of DEW
distant early warning
DEW Defined for English Language Learners
dew
playDefinition of dew for English Language Learners
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: drops of water that form outside at night on grass, trees, etc.
DEW Defined for Kids
dew
playDefinition of dew for Students
: moisture that collects on cool surfaces at night
Learn More about dew
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See words that rhyme with dew Spanish Central: Translation of dew Nglish: Translation of dew for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dew for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dew
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