dredges; dredged; dredging
1
: to remove mud from the bottom of (a lake, river, etc.) in order to deepen it or to search for something
They dredged the river.
They are dredging for oysters.
2
: to dig (something) out of the bottom of a lake, river, etc.
They dredged sand from the river to add to the eroding beach.
They dredge oysters in the bay.
—often + upThey are dredging up silt from the canal bottom.
plural dredges
: a machine or boat that removes mud, sand, etc., from the bottom of a lake, river, etc.
called also dredger
dredges; dredged; dredging
: to lightly cover (food) with a dry substance (such as sugar or flour)
—often + with or in
Dredge the fish in flour before frying it.
The cookies had been dredged with powdered sugar.
Cite this Entry
“Dredge.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dredge. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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