dual-purpose
adjective
du·al-purpose
ˈdü-əl-ˈpər-pəs 
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
This dual-purpose investment strategy allows investors to align their financial goals with a socially responsible mission.
—
Andrew Keel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
There are potentially four million 155-millimeter dual-purpose improved cluster munitions in storage in the United States.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
The two dash panels on either side of the 12.3-inch multimedia screen are identical, as are the air vents and arm rests, and two toggles housed on the center console serve dual-purpose as controls for the front and rear windows, which is an annoying byproduct of this focus on part reduction.
—Steven Ewing, Ars Technica, 6 Nov. 2023
The dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, or DPICMs, are surface-to-surface warheads that explode and disperse multiple small munitions or bombs over wide areas — bringing more widespread destruction than single rounds.
—Julie Tsirkin, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023
Glossier Balm Dotcom is a dual-purpose skin salve and lip balm in flavors reminiscent of our favorite childhood balms like Birthday and Mango.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
The bomb is called the dual-purpose improved conventional munition, or DPICM, and production of it ended in the 1990s.
—John Hudson and Anastacia Galouchka, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2023
According to the brand, this dual-purpose travel accessory can hold up to three days' worth of clothes, and it's made with a durable polyester-nylon material that's cozy on the skin and keeps your belongings safe and close by.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
The projectiles being sent to Ukraine are commonly referred to by the name given to those small grenades: dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, or D.P.I.C.M. — and pronounced by some officials as dee-PICK-’ems.
—John Ismay, New York Times, 7 July 2023
Andrew Keel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
There are potentially four million 155-millimeter dual-purpose improved cluster munitions in storage in the United States.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
The two dash panels on either side of the 12.3-inch multimedia screen are identical, as are the air vents and arm rests, and two toggles housed on the center console serve dual-purpose as controls for the front and rear windows, which is an annoying byproduct of this focus on part reduction.
—Steven Ewing, Ars Technica, 6 Nov. 2023
The dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, or DPICMs, are surface-to-surface warheads that explode and disperse multiple small munitions or bombs over wide areas — bringing more widespread destruction than single rounds.
—Julie Tsirkin, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023
Glossier Balm Dotcom is a dual-purpose skin salve and lip balm in flavors reminiscent of our favorite childhood balms like Birthday and Mango.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
The bomb is called the dual-purpose improved conventional munition, or DPICM, and production of it ended in the 1990s.
—John Hudson and Anastacia Galouchka, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2023
According to the brand, this dual-purpose travel accessory can hold up to three days' worth of clothes, and it's made with a durable polyester-nylon material that's cozy on the skin and keeps your belongings safe and close by.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
The projectiles being sent to Ukraine are commonly referred to by the name given to those small grenades: dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, or D.P.I.C.M. — and pronounced by some officials as dee-PICK-’ems.
—John Ismay, New York Times, 7 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dual-purpose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near dual-purpose
Cite this Entry
“Dual-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dual-purpose. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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