wear and tear

noun

: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially : normal depreciation

Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence

my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
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.
However, in her second professional season, the wear and tear is starting to show. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025 The makeup bag is also crafted out of waterproof leather with a polyester lining, both materials that are not only flexible but also good at resisting wear and tear. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 June 2025 Parts such as engines and transmissions experience extreme wear and tear as cars accumulate 200K miles. Charles Singh, USA Today, 18 June 2025 The drift problem —although not unique to the Switch— appears mainly because of wear and tear inside the analog stick's physical mechanisms. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wear and tear

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear and tear was in 1666

Cite this Entry

“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

wear and tear

noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use

More from Merriam-Webster on wear and tear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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