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

Rinse the area, and repeat the cleaning and pressure washing steps if the stain remains. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026

Either way, pairing this with weekly sheet washing and monthly vacuuming creates a solid baseline. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

Between deep cleans, weekly sheet washing and monthly vacuuming of the mattress surface can help keep dust mite populations in check. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

Researchers say years of agricultural chemicals and metals washing into the lake have made the dust toxic. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

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