To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈskau̇(-ə)r 
\
\scoured; scouring; scours
Definition of scour
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : to rub hard especially with a rough material for cleansing
b : to remove by rubbing hard and washing
2 archaic : to clear (a region) of enemies or outlaws
3 : to clean by purging : purge
4 : to remove dirt and debris from (something, such as a pipe or ditch)
5 : to free from foreign matter or impurities by or as if by washing
scour wool
6 : to clear, dig, or remove by or as if by a powerful current of water
1 : to perform a process of scouring
2 : to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery
3 : to become clean and bright by rubbing
scour
nounDefinition of scour (Entry 2 of 3)
scour
verb (2)scoured; scouring; scours
Definition of scour (Entry 3 of 3)
: to move about quickly especially in search
: to go through or range over in or as if in a search
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for scour
scour
verb\ ˈskau̇r \
\scoured; scouring
Kids Definition of scour
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to rub hard with a rough substance or object in order to clean
2 : to free or clear from impurities by or as if by rubbing
scour
verbscoured; scouring
Kids Definition of scour (Entry 2 of 2)
: to go or move swiftly about, over, or through in search of something
Detectives scoured the records for a clue.
scour
intransitive verb\ ˈskau̇(ə)r \
\Medical Definition of scour
(Entry 1 of 2)
of a domestic animal
: to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery
a diet causing cattle to scour
scour
nounMedical Definition of scour (Entry 2 of 2)
: diarrhea or dysentery occurring especially in young domestic animals
—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on scour
What made you want to look up scour? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
A More Exception(al) Quiz
- Which of the following words is not a synonym for ‘a young person’?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share scour
Time Traveler for scour
The first known use of scour was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century