shampoo

play

verb sham·poo \sham-ˈpü\

Definition of shampoo

transitive verb
1 archaic : massage
2a : to wash (something, such as hair) with soap and water or with a special preparationb : to wash the hair of

shampooer

noun

See shampoo defined for English-language learners

See shampoo defined for kids

Examples of shampoo in a Sentence

She shampoos her hair every morning.
We need to shampoo the rug.

Recent Examples of shampoo from the Web

So, while, yes, shampooing with CeraVe is generally safe to use, Sadick says there's no real rationale for the 'poo switch-up.

— sarah kinonen, Allure, "People Are Using CeraVe Facial Cleanser as Shampoo, and It's Not Okay," 19 July 2017
Made with ingredients such as alma oil, senna leaf extract and cupuacu butter, the mask is used in-shower after shampooing your hair.

— atlanta life, ajc, "Three finds worth buying," 18 July 2017
Use this calculator to find out Extensions can be shampooed normally, worn swimming, set with a curling iron or blow dryer.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Not your mother's hair extensions. Why you should clip it in," 13 July 2017
And a little primer on shampooing wouldn’t hurt either.

— Fortune, "Brainstorm Health Daily: June 16, 2017," 16 June 2017
Some contributing factors include hair products that irritate your scalp, dry skin conditions, or not shampooing frequently enough and leaving oils and dead skin to accumulate on the scalp.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Best Dandruff Treatments That Actually Work," 28 May 2017
Made with ingredients such as alma oil, senna leaf extract and cupuacu butter, the mask is used in-shower after shampooing your hair.

— courtney ortega, star-telegram, "IGK’s new spray-on hair mask is a time saver," 19 May 2017
According to state code, the responsibilities for a barber include cutting, styling and shampooing hair, shaving or trimming beards and massaging faces.

— jon bleiweis, baltimoresun.com, "On a four block stretch in Catonsville, salons make the cut," 26 Apr. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of shampoo

Hindi & Urdu cā̃po, imperative of cā̃pnā to press, massage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1762

See Words from the same year

Other Fashion Terms

bodkin, chignon, cowlick, eau de toilette, imperial, pocket, pomander, tonsorial

shampoo

noun sham·poo

Definition of shampoo

plural

shampoos

1 : an act or instance of shampooing
2 : a preparation used in shampooing

See shampoo defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of shampoo from the Web

Please consider donating school supplies, backpacks, personal care items (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, combs, brushes, toothbrush/paste, feminine needs) during the month of July.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Residents make Loveland pantry successful," 19 July 2017
At Grace Park from 1 to 3 p.m., adults can receive a one-day Metro bus pass and fill their bags with new socks, underwear, toothpaste, shampoo and other basic essentials.

— brittany nader, cleveland.com, "Akron Snow Angels offer free supplies, services to homeless during Christmas in July," 14 July 2017
A new study finds that most mac and cheese products contain phthalates: chemicals that make plastics more flexible and are found in things like shampoo, fast food and cosmetics.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Most Macaroni and Cheese Products Contain These Chemicals, Study Finds," 14 July 2017
Many fragrances contain phthalates, so choose unscented personal-care products, from cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics to shampoo and detergents.

— roni caryn rabin, The Seattle Times, "What’s in your child’s mac and cheese? Toxic chemicals, a new study says," 13 July 2017
The company will be collecting products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons and shampoo through Sept. 24.

— maureen c. gilmer, Indianapolis Star, "These kids are changing the world; let's follow their lead," 9 July 2017
No. 2 was Proctor & Gamble, whose big-time brands include Bounty paper towels, Head & Shoulders shampoo, Pampers diapers, and Crest toothpaste, at $4.3 billion.

— bob fernandez, Philly.com, "Comcast tops U.S. as biggest advertiser, Ad Age says," 3 July 2017
Parishioners at the North Hampton United Methodist Church recently set up a Blessings Box, filled with toiletries like toothbrushes, deodorant and shampoo, for anyone in need.

— cleveland.com, "North Hampton church offers free 'Blessings Box' with toiletries for anyone in need," 30 June 2017
Finding shampoo or shaving gel is another challenge.

— natalie gallón and stefano pozzebon, CNN, "A day in the life of Venezuelans: Anything but normal," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of shampoo

1838

Other Fashion Terms

bodkin, chignon, cowlick, eau de toilette, imperial, pocket, pomander, tonsorial

SHAMPOO Defined for English Language Learners

shampoo

play

verb

Definition of shampoo for English Language Learners

: to clean (something, such as hair, a carpet, etc.) with shampoo

shampoo

noun

Definition of shampoo for English Language Learners

: a special liquid that is used for cleaning your hair
: a special liquid used for cleaning rugs, carpets, etc.
: an act of cleaning hair, a carpet, etc., with shampoo

SHAMPOO Defined for Kids

shampoo

play

noun sham·poo \sham-ˈpü\

Definition of shampoo for Students

plural

shampoos

1 : a cleaner made for washing the hair
2 : an act of washing the hair

History for shampoo

Vigorous hair-washing was not something people engaged in too frequently 150 or so years ago, at least in America and Britain, so it is not too surprising that the word shampoo in its current meaning is only about that old. The earlier meaning of shampoo was “massage.” The word (as well as the practice of massaging) became familiar to English people when they traveled to India in the 1600s and 1700s. Shampoo is probably borrowed from a word in Hindi, a major language of India: cāmpō, the command form of cāmpnā, “to press, squeeze.”