1
: fine particles of matter (as of earth)
2
: the particles into which something disintegrates
3
a
: something worthless
b
: a state of humiliation
4
a
: the earth especially as a place of burial
b
: the surface of the ground
5
a
: a cloud of dust
b
6
archaic
: a single particle (as of earth)
7
British
: refuse ready for collection
dusted; dusting; dusts
1
archaic
: to make dusty
2
: to make free of dust
dust the living room
3
a
: to sprinkle with fine particles
a cake dusted with sugar
b
: to sprinkle in the form of dust
4
: to throw a fastball close to (a batter) : brush back
—often used with off
5
: to defeat badly (as in a race)
1
of a bird
: to work dust into the feathers
2
: to remove dust
3
: to give off dust
Synonyms
Examples of dust in a Sentence
Noun
The floor was covered with dust.
You can see the dust particles floating through the air.
There is not a speck of dust in that house.
As the car sped down the dirt road, it left a cloud of dust behind.
He wiped the chalk dust off his hands.
Verb
I dust at least once a week.
Dust the pan with flour.
The crops will be dusted with pesticide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
If there were peace, would his son be able to one day enjoy the calm of civilian life, away from the blood and dust of war?
—Hannah Beech Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The pastoral backcountry is an alloy of dust and juniper welded into a knobby expanse.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
It can be found in sand, stone, and soil, and its dust is common in coal and other types of mining.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024
The federal rule will reduce the allowable level of silica dust when workers drill for coal and other ores.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
However, the government lacked the capacity to further develop university breakthroughs, so the vast majority simply gathered dust on shelves.
—Jungsang Kim, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Next to her, a young boy covered in dust clutched a fluffy toy.
—Mo Abbas, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2024
However, drinking water may only be responsible for about 20% of exposure, with the most significant exposures coming from food, dust and other sources, Andrews said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024
Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
In the winter, the snow dusts the iconic red rocks, which make for an otherworldly scene.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
Several mountains outside the Southern Sierra were dusted with snow.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Simply dust it regularly to keep up its shiny appearance, and immediately wash it with mild soap and water to remove spills.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2024
Thick gray clouds scudded overhead, dumping flakes and dusting everything with a fresh coat of powder.
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Powdered sugar has been ground to a fine powder to dissolve almost instantly and is used for frostings and dusting cookies and brownies.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024
And Perry gets major props for dusting them off and giving them a go.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024
Does this mean the month’s full moon, dubbed the snow moon, will rise to a region dusted in snow?
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
The amount of dust, dirt, and crumbs hiding in between car seats and couch cushions can be shocking.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
If there were peace, would his son be able to one day enjoy the calm of civilian life, away from the blood and dust of war?
—Hannah Beech Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The pastoral backcountry is an alloy of dust and juniper welded into a knobby expanse.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
It can be found in sand, stone, and soil, and its dust is common in coal and other types of mining.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024
The federal rule will reduce the allowable level of silica dust when workers drill for coal and other ores.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
However, the government lacked the capacity to further develop university breakthroughs, so the vast majority simply gathered dust on shelves.
—Jungsang Kim, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Next to her, a young boy covered in dust clutched a fluffy toy.
—Mo Abbas, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2024
However, drinking water may only be responsible for about 20% of exposure, with the most significant exposures coming from food, dust and other sources, Andrews said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
The camera goes spinning in loops, pastel crystals jut out everywhere, a mountain range is dusted pink and purple just because.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
In the winter, the snow dusts the iconic red rocks, which make for an otherworldly scene.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
Several mountains outside the Southern Sierra were dusted with snow.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Simply dust it regularly to keep up its shiny appearance, and immediately wash it with mild soap and water to remove spills.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2024
Thick gray clouds scudded overhead, dumping flakes and dusting everything with a fresh coat of powder.
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Powdered sugar has been ground to a fine powder to dissolve almost instantly and is used for frostings and dusting cookies and brownies.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024
And Perry gets major props for dusting them off and giving them a go.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024
Does this mean the month’s full moon, dubbed the snow moon, will rise to a region dusted in snow?
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dust.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dust
Cite this Entry
“Dust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dust. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dust
1 of 2 noun1
a
: fine dry powdery particles (as of earth)
b
: a fine powder
2
: the powdery remains of bodies once alive
3
: something worthless
4
: the surface of the ground
dust
2 of 2 verb1
: to make free of dust : brush or wipe away dust
dusted the living room
2
: to sprinkle with dust or as a dust
dust a pan with flour
dust insecticide on plants
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share