dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdre-siŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one who dresses

b

: an instance of such act or process

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish (such as a salad)

b

: a seasoned mixture usually used as a stuffing (as for poultry)

3

a

: material (such as ointment or gauze) applied to cover a lesion or wound

b

: fertilizing material (such as manure or compost)

Synonyms of dressing

• plaster

Examples of dressing in a Sentence

We had turkey with dressing and potatoes for dinner.

The nurse cleaned the cut and applied a dressing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Condiments that contain dairy, eggs, or fresh produce—like mayonnaise, ranch dressing, or aioli—should always be refrigerated. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Everything is tossed in a simple dressing of oil, vinegar, and za'atar, with a sprinkle of kalamata olives to complete the Mediterranean vibe. —Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026

Add avocados to salads or grain bowls as an ingredient or dressing. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026

Aside from essential winter pieces, trends like asymmetrical skirts were frequently spotted, espresso-brown hues continued their takeover, and exposed midriffs added an unexpected edge to cold-weather dressing. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing dressing

• cross-dressing
• dressing-down
• dressing glass
• dressing gown
• dressing room
• dressing table
• French dressing
• house (salad) dressing
• Italian dressing
• ore dressing
• ranch dressing
• Russian dressing
• salad dressing
• side-dressing
• Thousand Island dressing
• top-dressing
• window dressing

Rhymes for dressing

• blessing
• guessing
• messing
• pressing
• stressing
• accessing
• addressing
• assessing
• caressing
• compressing
• confessing
• depressing

Kids Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdres-iŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one that dresses

b

: an instance of dressing

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish

b

: a seasoned mixture used as a stuffing (as for poultry) or baked and served separately

3

a

: material (as ointment or gauze) used to cover an injury

b

: fertilizing material (as manure or compost)

Medical Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing -iŋ 

: a covering (as of ointment or gauze) applied to a lesion