dual-purpose

adjective

du·​al-purpose ˈdü-əl-ˈpər-pəs How to pronounce dual-purpose (audio)
also ˈdyü-
: having breed characteristics that serve two purposes
dual-purpose cattle that supply milk and meat

Examples of dual-purpose 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.
Design one space with two modes The trick with dual-purpose rooms is to resist the urge to cram in two separate setups. Alena Conley, USA Today, 6 May 2026 What’s more, beets are dual-purpose crops that can be grown for their tasty roots or their edible greens, which can be used just like spinach or kale! Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026 Speaking of splitting up the chair and cushion, the latter is designed as a dual-purpose piece of kit. New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026 The spaceship is equipped with a dual-purpose flywheel machine for aerobic exercises, according to NASA. Mason Leib, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026 Sheri Penzari, who has worked for United, Delta, and the now-defunct Eastern Air Lines, also recommends dual-purpose dressing. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026 That dual-purpose flexibility makes the HSA uniquely valuable as a retirement asset. Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026 My mom has been diligently applying the dual-purpose cream for a few weeks now. Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026 This technology could provide a dual-purpose solution to industrial facilities already using compressed air. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dual-purpose was in 1904

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Cite this Entry

“Dual-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dual-purpose. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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