hairdressing

noun hair·dress·ing \ ˈher-ˌdre-siŋ \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of hairdressing

1 a : the action or process of washing, cutting, curling, or arranging the hair

b : the occupation of a hairdresser

2 : a preparation for grooming and styling the hair

Recent Examples of hairdressing from the Web

Employment in hairdressing—an indispensable industry but not a very productive one—is some 50% higher than in 2010.

— The Economist, "Britain’s era of abysmal productivity growth could be at an end," 12 Apr. 2018
Other business titans who have built mega-homes in the area include billionaire Anthony Pritzker , an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune who owns a 49,300-square-foot compound with a bowling alley, hairdressing area and gym on nearby Angelo Drive.

— katherine clarke, WSJ, "Paul Allen Asks $150 Million for 120 Acres of L.A. Land," 10 July 2018
Options include fashion design, hairdressing and farming on land set aside by the state.

— The Economist, "Europe is sending African migrants home. Will they stay?," 28 Mar. 2018
Detectives quickly learned Sementilli had been a superstar in the world of hairdressing.

— CBS News, "Arrests in murder of L.A. beauty exec "like a twist in a nightmare"," 10 Mar. 2018
After a November ceremony in Lagos hosted by NAPTIP, one 29-year-old returnee could not afford a taxi to transport the hairdressing start-up kit she had been awarded.

— molly o'toole, Washington Post, "Nigerians return from slavery in Libya to thriving sex-trafficking industry back home," 23 Jan. 2018
Missouri law requires a training course of 1,000 hours for barbering and 1,500 hours for hairdressing, followed by a licensing exam.

— tony rizzo, kansascity, "African-style hair braiders lose appeal of Missouri licensing law," 11 Jan. 2018
After studying theater at Brooklyn College—and, in the grand tradition of theater majors everywhere, struggling to find a job after graduation—Cruz went back to hairdressing before falling on hard times.

— yohana desta, vanityfair.com, "Meet the Transgender Activist Fighting to Keep Marsha P. Johnson’s Legacy Alive," 3 Oct. 2017
Outside Union Station, with his mobile hairdressing gear in his backpack — a gown, razor, comb, some clips and scissors — Coombes came upon Thomas, a 70-year-old Vietnam veteran who has been homeless for 10 years.

— mary hui, Washington Post, "Meet the globe-trotting hairdresser who helps homeless people look sharp," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hairdressing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.