mildew

noun

mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌdü

, -ˌdyü\

Definition of mildew

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)

b : a fungus producing mildew

2 : a discoloration caused by fungi

mildew

verb

mildewed; mildewing; mildews

Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to affect with or as if with mildew

intransitive verb

: to become affected with mildew

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Examples of mildew in a Sentence

Noun

The basement's damp walls were covered with mildew.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The giant overhead screens in front of the room were damaged, and the room smelled of mildew. — David W. Brown, BostonGlobe.com, "NASA reopens Apollo Mission Control room that once landed men on moon," 29 June 2019 The bedroom reeks pleasantly of timbers, mildew, brick; the kitchen at night races with mice and assassin bugs; and in the pasture the cows moan and ruminate and gather under the shade of the trees to escape the withering sun. — Christopher Ketcham, Harper's magazine, "Ramblin’ Man," 24 June 2019 As a bonus, antimicrobial technology in the material keeps mold and mildew out of your tub, making cleaning and maintenance much easier. — Stepfanie Romine, Cincinnati.com, "Remodel your bathroom — for less money, with less mess and in less time," 10 June 2019 Water condenses in binoculars, camera lenses mist over, and everything is permanently thick with mildew. — National Geographic, "Jane Goodall’s original tale of chimpanzees still astonishes today," 17 Apr. 2019 With mold- and mildew-resistant material, your walk-in shower will also be easy to clean and maintain. — Stepfanie Romine, Cincinnati.com, "Remodel your bathroom — for less money, with less mess and in less time," 10 June 2019 In the narrow alley behind the market, beds black with mildew are scrubbed using rags soaked in bleach. — Rowan Moore Gerety, Harper's magazine, "Downstream," 10 June 2019 This can help prevent mold and mildew, prolonging the life of your mat. — Jessica Toscano, SELF, "Here's How Often You Should Really Clean Your Yoga Mat," 12 Apr. 2019 Keeping the drain line clear is pretty easy to do in most cases. Pour a bleach-and-water solution down the condensate drain to kill mildew growing in it. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The DIY Guide To Fixing Your Leaky Air Conditioner," 15 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Issue: Mildew If the grout is mildewed or badly stained, mix a 50/50 solution of oxygen bleach and water, and apply it with a sponge or pump-up sprayer. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Clean Dirty Grout," 5 Dec. 2018 Residents have reported sagging porches, mildewing wood and leaky roofs. — Fox News, "Brad Pitt's foundation facing lawsuit over degradation of New Orleans homes," 30 Aug. 2018 Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse. — Richard Lawson, Vanities, "Chloë Grace Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham’s Reunion Proves Young Love Is Complicated," 9 Oct. 2017 Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse. — Richard Lawson, vanityfair.com, "Chloë Grace Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham’s Reunion Proves Young Love Is Complicated," 9 Oct. 2017 On a recent day, the inside walls of the home were mildewed and the clothes still in the closet were showing spots. — Mimi Whitefield, miamiherald, "Cuban fishing village made famous by Hemingway busy with recovery efforts after Irma," 5 Oct. 2017 The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people. — Alan Blinder, The Seattle Times, "Hauling away Harvey’s debris an enormous, urgent task," 6 Sep. 2017 The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people. — John Schwartz And Alan Blinder, New York Times, "An Enormous, Urgent Task: Hauling Away Harvey’s Debris," 6 Sep. 2017 For the past 20 years, my husband, Alex, and I—West Coast transplants and die-hard beach people—have spent a ridiculous amount of money to rent a mildewing summer house on the tip of Long Island. — Rebecca Misner, CNT, "For the Ultimate Mediterranean Sailing Trip, Ditch the Captain and Crew," 20 July 2017

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

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Last Updated

3 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for mildew

The first known use of mildew was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for mildew

mildew

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mildew

: a usually white substance that grows on the surface of things in wet, warm conditions

See the full definition for mildew in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mildew

noun

mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌdü

, -ˌdyü\

Kids Definition of mildew

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a thin whitish growth produced by a fungus especially on decaying material or on living plants

2 : a fungus producing mildew

mildew

verb

mildewed; mildewing

Kids Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)

: to become affected with mildew

mildew

noun

mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌd(y)ü

Medical Definition of mildew

1 : a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)

2 : a fungus producing mildew