washing

noun

wash·​ing ˈwȯ-shiŋ 

ˈwä-

1

: the act or action of one that cleanses with water

2

: material obtained by washing

3

: articles washed or to be washed : wash

Examples of washing in a Sentence

These shirts will look great even after repeated washings.

Recent Examples on the Web

Face washing allows for thorough cleansing if done properly, which allows the skin to better absorb moisturizers or treatments that may be applied afterwards. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025

Wait 15 minutes before washing. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025

After knitting and inspection, the items went upstairs for washing. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

There are bicycle, kayak, and paddleboard rentals; lawn games; and even a shell-washing station, plus weekly beach walks with a marine naturalist from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium. —Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing washing

• do the washing-up
• put the washing out
• washing machine
• washing powder
• washing soda
• washing-up liquid

Rhymes for washing

• quashing
• sloshing
• squashing
• brainwashing
• handwashing
• whitewashing

Kids Definition

washing

noun

wash·​ing ˈwȯsh-iŋ 

ˈwäsh-

: articles washed or to be washed