stain

verb \ ˈstān \

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Examples: stain in a Sentence

Definition of stain

stained; staining; stains

transitive verb

1 : to suffuse with color

2 : discolor, soil

3 a : taint 3

a conscience stained with guilt

b : to bring discredit on

the scandal stained his reputation

4 : to color (something, such as wood, glass, or cloth) by processes affecting chemically or otherwise the material itself

intransitive verb

: to receive a stain

—

stainable

play \ˈstā-nə-bəl\ adjective

—

stainer

play \ˈstā-nər\ noun

See stain defined for English-language learners

See stain defined for kids

Examples of stain in a Sentence

The red wine stained the carpet.
He stained the wood a dark cherry color.
The accusations stained his reputation.

Recent Examples of stain from the Web

Activity also continues at a nearby building where plutonium is extracted from spent fuel, and staining on the roof of another building suggests the North is enriching weapons-grade uranium using centrifuges.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "North Korea Keeps Enriching Uranium," 1 July 2018
But the investigation continued, staining Anaya’s image as an anti-corruption crusader.

— latimes.com, "Mexican voters going to the polls in historic elections that have been marred by vote-buying and violence," 1 July 2018
However, XXXtentacion’s public legacy is also stained by the hip-hop star’s violent tendencies, the most horrendous accounts of which were directed at women and a gay man.

— refinery29.com, "XXXtentacion & The Dangers Of Honoring Black Men Unconditionally," 27 June 2018
After cleaning, the stained area will need to be resealed to prevent further staining.

— NBC News, "How to get stains out of almost anything," 24 June 2018
Metal stem-type thermometer soiled...Cutting board(s) stained/soiled...

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Roaches in oven, sewage on floor, flies in the fries. These restaurants are in trouble," 21 June 2018
Extra Tip: If your teeth stain easily from red wine, reach for some white.

— rachel epstein, Marie Claire, "How to Choose a Wine You'll Love—Every Time," 14 June 2018
This time, the blood staining the fighting ring came from the man refereeing the brutal matches — shot dead at close range in the middle of the crowded arena.

— david ovalle, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Who shot the cockfight ref? Secret arena outside Miami was packed but nobody's talking," 13 June 2018
When in the presence of an immunocompromised patient; when toxic drugs or chemicals are being used; or when their own clothes become damaged or stained — as can happen when transporting a bleeding accident victim, for example.

— rhonda garelick, The Cut, "Melania’s Recent Behavior Is Right Out of Hitchcock," 11 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of stain

Middle English steynen, partly from Anglo-French desteindre to take away the color from & partly of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse steina to paint — more at distain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

stain Synonyms

stain

noun

Definition of stain

1 a : a soiled or discolored spot

b : a natural spot of color contrasting with the ground

2 : a taint of guilt : stigma

3 : a preparation (as of dye or pigment) used in staining: such as

a : a dye or pigment capable of penetrating the pores of wood

b : a dye or mixture of dyes used in microscopy to make visible minute and transparent structures, to differentiate tissue elements, or to produce specific chemical reactions

—

stainproof

play \ˈstān-ˌprüf\ adjective

See stain defined for English-language learners

Examples of stain in a Sentence

There's a juice stain on the floor.
She has a stain on her shirt.
Will those grass stains wash out?

Recent Examples of stain from the Web

To remove stubborn stains, create a baking soda paste with a small amount of water.

— nicole spector /, NBC News, "The kitchen is the germiest room. Here's how to deep clean everything.," 3 July 2018
The Trump regime is a temporary stain on the beautiful fabric of America.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Wethersfield Edition," 2 July 2018
Whether his departure is a stain on his legacy, Vieira's impact on NYCFC is undeniable in only two seasons in the big apple.

— juan pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "Teams arrive in Russia, Vieira leaves NYCFC and the best of the soccer weekend," 10 June 2018
The scandal was a dark stain on the department, leading to McDonnell's position but also dominating his first term.

— maya lau, latimes.com, "Sheriff McDonnell inherited a department rotted by corruption. His reform effort is a work in progress," 24 May 2018
Supposedly, the charcoal kicks off a process called adsorption that's said to help remove stains from teeth naturally.

— courtney campbell, USA TODAY, "These are the 5 best Amazon deals of the weekend," 19 May 2018
The desire is no less strong now as an adult woman, longing for the voice at the end of a late night phone call or an authority on how to thicken soup or remove a stain.

— colter jackson, New York Times, "Motherless, but Growing Toward the Light," 11 May 2018
Wall-to-wall carpeting: Use a good steam carpet cleaner to keep it looking fresh and to remove stains.

— joanne kempinger demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Spring cleaning: A spotless, well-organized home is your reward," 4 May 2018
This citrusy fruit has all kinds of helpful uses around the house from removing stains to freshening your microwave.

— rebecca shinners, Country Living, "Is This the Secret to Making your Dishes Cleaner Than Ever?," 15 May 2015

First Known Use of stain

1557

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

stain Synonyms

Synonyms

blot, brand, slur, smirch, smudge, spot, stigma, taint;

Near Antonyms

award, credit, honor;

chasteness, chastity, modesty, purity, stainlessness;

honesty, integrity, probity, rectitude, uprightness;

goodness, righteousness, virtuousness;

fame;

corruption, depravity, immorality, iniquity, sin, vice;

STAIN Defined for English Language Learners

stain

verb

Definition of stain for English Language Learners

: to leave a mark on something
: to be marked or damaged by a stain
: to use a special liquid to change the color of (something)

stain

noun

Definition of stain for English Language Learners

: a mark made on a surface, a piece of clothing, etc., that is very hard or impossible to remove
: a special liquid that is used to change the color of something (such as wood or cloth)
: something that causes people to have less respect for someone : something that damages a person's reputation

STAIN Defined for Kids

stain

verb \ ˈstān \

Definition of stain for Students

stained; staining

1 : to soil or discolor especially in spots

2 : to use something (as a dye) to change the color of

I spent the weekend staining the deck.

3 : ¹corrupt 1

Her conscience was stained.

4 : ¹disgrace

The scandal stained his reputation.

stain

noun

Definition of stain for Students

1 : ¹spot 2, discoloration

Will this stain wash out?

2 : a mark of guilt or disgrace : stigma

3 : something (as a dye) used in staining

—

stainless

\-ləs\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

stain

transitive verb \ ˈstān \

medical Definition of stain

1 : to cause discoloration of

smoking stains teeth

2 : to color by processes affecting chemically or otherwise the material itself

stain bacteria with a fluorescent dye

intransitive verb

: to receive a stain

stain

noun

medical Definition of stain

1 : a discolored spot or area (as on the skin or teeth) — see port-wine stain

2 : a preparation (as of dye or pigment) used in staining something; especially : a dye or mixture of dyes used in microscopy to make minute and transparent structures visible, to differentiate tissue elements, or to produce specific chemical reactions