launder

1 of 2

verb

laun·​der ˈlȯn-dər 

ˈlän-

laundered; laundering ˈlȯn-d(ə-)riŋ 

ˈlän-

transitive verb

1

: to wash (something, such as clothing) in water

2

: to make ready for use by washing and ironing

a freshly laundered shirt

3

: to transfer (illegally obtained money or investments) through an outside party to conceal the true source

4

: sanitize sense 2

laundered language

intransitive verb

: to wash or wash and iron clothing or household linens

launderer

ˈlȯn-dər-ər 

ˈlän-

noun

launder

2 of 2

noun

: trough

especially : a box conduit conveying particulate material suspended in water in ore dressing

Synonyms

Verb

• censor
• shorten

Examples of launder in a Sentence

Verb

He used a phony business to launder money from drug dealing.

had to launder the quarterback's off-the-cuff's remarks before they could be quoted in the newspaper

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

If someone in the family is sick, use the warmest water possible to launder clothing items, but check the item’s care label for guidance. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025

The tiaras, brooch, necklaces and earrings from the collection of Empress Eugénie and assorted royals may be difficult to launder even if they’re broken apart and sold in hard-to-identify pieces. —Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025

Noun

Step 3: Launder The Linens Toss all throw blankets, pillow covers, couch covers, curtains, rugs (that can be washed), and any other fabric linen into the washing machine and launder before returning to the room. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025

Who launders all of this drug money? —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English launder, noun

Noun

Middle English, launderer, from Anglo-French lavandere, from Medieval Latin lavandarius, from Latin lavandus, gerundive of lavare to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for launder

• condor
• fonder
• mandir
• maunder
• ponder
• squander
• wander
• yonder
• responder
• transponder

Kids Definition

launder

verb

laun·​der

ˈlȯn-dər,

ˈlän-

laundered; laundering

-d(ə-)riŋ

1

: to wash or wash and iron clothing or household linens

2

: to undergo washing and ironing

launderer

-dər-ər

noun

Legal Definition

launder

transitive verb

laun·​der

: to transfer (money or instruments deriving from illegal activity) so as to conceal the true nature and source

launder money through an offshore account