stain

1 of 2

verb

stained; staining; stains

transitive verb

1
: to suffuse with color
2
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

intransitive verb

: to receive a stain
stainable adjective
stainer noun

stain

2 of 2

noun

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 adjective

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
Verb
Clothes with Greasy, Oily, or Waxy Stains Clothing and other washable fabrics, such as cloth napkins, stained by something oily, greasy, or waxy should be washed in the hottest water setting the fabric can tolerate. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2024 The Palestinian question is back on the world agenda, and Israel’s global reputation, already suffering with its half-century occupation of Palestinian territories, is deeply stained. Karl Vick, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
Similarly, a solution of one cup of vinegar and two gallons of warm water can be used to remove grass stains, mold, and mildew. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024 Some warranties also cover spills and stains, while other brands offer upgrades to cover these items. Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stain 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near stain

Cite this Entry

“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stain. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

stain

1 of 2 verb
1
: 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 noun
1
: 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
ˈstān-ləs
adjective

Medical Definition

stain

1 of 2 transitive verb
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

2 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on stain

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