dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdre-siŋ How to pronounce dressing (audio)
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)

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
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.
Silken tofu can be blended into smoothies or used as a base for soups and creamy sauces, dressings, and dips. Cynthia Sass, Health, 23 June 2025 Pimple patches mimic the same technology that’s used in hydrocolloid wound dressings. Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 June 2025 What’s more, the salad’s avocado vinaigrette dressing is made with Tajín, a chile-lime salt, which is also sprinkled on the salad. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 Crispy Chicken Salad Wraps The strawberry lemonade adds a juicy, fruity contrast to savory wraps filled with crunchy lettuce, grilled or breaded chicken, and a creamy dressing. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dressing

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dressing was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dressing. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dressing

noun
dress·​ing ˈdres-iŋ How to pronounce dressing (audio)
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 How to pronounce dressing (audio)
: a covering (as of ointment or gauze) applied to a lesion

More from Merriam-Webster on dressing

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