stained; staining; stains
1
: to suffuse with color
3
a
: taint sense 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
: to receive a 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
Examples of stain in a Sentence
Verb
The red wine stained the carpet.
He stained the wood a dark cherry color.
The accusations stained his reputation.
Noun
There's a juice stain on the floor.
She has a stain on her shirt.
Will those grass stains wash out?
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
The team that would replace us would be stained, football would be stained.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Unfortunately, both alcohol and peroxide can irritate gums and cause gum sensitivity—this formulation uses a combination of natural enzymes and gentle oxidizers to lift surface stains on the teeth and prevent new ones from forming.
—Daley Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
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Verb
As both business owner and head baker — her black chef’s coat is usually powdered with flour, her hands stained with icing — Vee won’t have time this June to participate in the Chicago Pride Parade.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
The team that would replace us would be stained, football would be stained.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
Most food stains can be cleaned with dish detergent and water.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Unfortunately, both alcohol and peroxide can irritate gums and cause gum sensitivity—this formulation uses a combination of natural enzymes and gentle oxidizers to lift surface stains on the teeth and prevent new ones from forming.
—Daley Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stain. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stain
1 of 2 verb1
: to soil or discolor especially in spots
2
: to give color to (as by dyeing) : tinge
3
a
: corrupt entry 1 sense 1
a fine mind stained by jealousy
b
: disgrace entry 1
the scandal stained his reputation
stainer
noun
stain
2 of 2 noun1
: a soiled or discolored spot
2
: a mark of guilt or disgrace
bore the stain of their father's crime
3
: something (as a dye) used in staining: 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 very small and transparent structures visible, to color tissue elements so that they can be told apart, and to produce specific chemical reactions
stainless
adjective
ˈstān-ləs
Medical Definition
stain
1 of 2 transitive verb1
: 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
: to receive a stain
stain
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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