dry wash

noun

Western US

Examples of dry wash in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flash flooding is especially dangerous in Arizona due to the prevalence of dry washes, creeks, and urban infrastructure that can overwhelm drainage systems with little warning. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025 Topography also plays a role, as steep canyons, mountains and dry washes are susceptible to floods. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025 Another hair health tip is to dry wash your hair, which is a method for refreshing it between actual cleanses. Essence, 23 Sep. 2025 Assume anything that can flood will flood, and avoid camping in dry washes or arroyos. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 27 Mar. 2025 Avondale Police responded at around 8:42 a.m. to a dry wash area just west of North Copenhagen Drive and West Orange Blossom Lane in Avondale where a landscape crew reported finding the dead woman's body. Kerria Weaver, The Arizona Republic, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dry wash was in 1872

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dry wash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20wash. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dry wash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!