laundry

noun

laun·​dry ˈlȯn-drē 

ˈlän-

plural laundries

1

a

: a room for doing the family wash

b

: a commercial laundering establishment

2

: clothes or linens that have been or are to be laundered

Examples of laundry in a Sentence

There's a pile of dirty laundry in the laundry basket.

The patients' sheets are sent regularly to the hospital laundry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Using too much vinegar or adding it to the wash too often can break down fibers over time and damage parts of your washing machine, like the rubber seals, hoses, and gaskets, so only use it when your sheets and other laundry need a boost. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 June 2026

Alicia Sokolowski is the president and CEO of AspenClean, an eco-friendly laundry and cleaning company. — Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 25 June 2026

Guests in Concierge Level cabins also get perks like priority embarkation, a welcome bottle of Champagne, and free laundry service (up to three bags). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026

The trucker's lounge comes complete with luxurious seating areas, showers and full-service laundry facilities. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing laundry

• air one's dirty laundry
• dirty laundry
• do the/one's laundry
• laundry list
• load of laundry

Kids Definition

laundry

noun

laun·​dry ˈlȯn-drē 

ˈlän-

plural laundries

1

: clothes or linens that have been or are to be laundered

2

: a place where laundering is done

Etymology

from an obsolete word launder (noun) "one who washes clothes," derived from early French lavandier (or lavandiere) "a man (or woman) who washes clothes," from Latin lavandus "needing to be washed," from lavare "to wash" — related to lavatory, lavish, lotion