Definition of parch
transitive verb
1 : to toast under dry heat
2 : to shrivel with heat
3 : to dry or shrivel with cold
intransitive verb
: to become dry or scorched
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Examples of parch in a Sentence
The hot desert sun had parched the land.
the heat has really parched my throat
Recent Examples of parch from the Web
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The extreme weather that’s gripped the U.S. Great Plains is also threatening agricultural output in Canada as hot, dry conditions parch fields and stunt crop growth.
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Parched hands Dry air can be behind scaly hands, but other common drying agents include smoking, genetics, aging, soaps and skincare products that contain alcohol, fragrance, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA).
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The swamp was parched by drought when a lightning strike April 6 sparked a rapidly growing fire.
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Parched hands Dry air can be behind scaly hands, but other common drying agents include smoking, genetics, aging, soaps and skincare products that contain alcohol, fragrance, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA).
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The drought that has parched the area for years, said Mr. Nichols, a former Harney County commissioner, is abating.
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Even in years when drought parches most of California, rain drenches this mountain town, nestled among Big Basin State Park’s towering redwoods.
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BOULDER CREEK — Even in years when drought parches most of California, rain drenches this mountain town, nestled among Big Basin State Park’s towering redwoods.
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Current water supply for most Front Range residents isn’t low or critical, despite current drought and drought-like conditions parching lower-lying elevations of eastern Colorado.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of parch
Middle English
PARCH Defined for English Language Learners
PARCH Defined for Kids
parch
playDefinition of parch for Students
parched
;parching
: to dry or make dry from heat and lack of moisture The heat and drought of dog days had parched the earth … — William H. Armstrong, Sounder
Learn More about parch
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See words that rhyme with parch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for parch Spanish Central: Translation of parch Nglish: Translation of parch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of parch for Arabic speakers
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