tumble dry

verb

tumble dried; tumble drying; tumble dries

transitive verb

: to dry (clothes, fabrics, etc.) by tumbling in a dryer
tumble dryer noun
tumble drying noun

Examples of tumble dry in a Sentence

He tumble dried his clothes on high heat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The brand recommends using cold water for washing and a low setting to tumble dry. Clara McMahon, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025 If machine drying is acceptable, dry the bed on a low-heat tumble dry setting. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025 One extra perk here is that this throw is machine washable on gentle mode, just make sure to tumble dry. Erika Owen, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025 To finish, tumble dry on low heat to activate the treatment. Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tumble dry

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tumble dry was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tumble dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumble%20dry. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tumble dry

verb
tumble dried; tumble drying
: to dry (as clothes) in a dryer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!