launder

[ lawn-der, lahn- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to wash (clothes, linens, etc.).
2. to wash and iron (clothes).
3. Informal.
   1. to disguise the source of (illegal or secret funds or profits), usually by transmittal through a foreign bank or a complex network of intermediaries.
   2. to disguise the true nature of (a transaction, operation, or the like) by routing money or goods through one or more intermediaries.
4. to remove embarrassing or unpleasant characteristics or elements from in order to make more acceptable:

   He'll have to launder his image if he wants to run for office.

verb (used without object)

1. to wash laundry.
2. to undergo washing and ironing:

   The shirt didn't launder well.

noun

1. (in ore dressing) a passage carrying products of intermediate grade and residue in water suspension.
2. Metallurgy. a channel for conveying molten steel to a ladle.

launder

/ ˈlɔːndə /

verb

1. to wash, sometimes starch, and often also iron (clothes, linen, etc)
2. intr to be capable of being laundered without shrinking, fading, etc
3. tr to process (something acquired illegally) to make it appear respectable, esp to process illegally acquired funds through a legitimate business or to send them to a foreign bank for subsequent transfer to a home bank

noun

1. a water trough, esp one used for washing ore in mining

Derived Forms

• ˈlaunderer, noun

Other Words From

• launder·a·ble adjective
• launder·a·bili·ty noun
• launder·er noun
• re·launder verb (used with object)
• un·laundered adjective
• well-laundered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of launder¹

1300–50; 1970–75 launder fordef 3; Middle English: launderer, syncopated variant of lavandere, lavendere washer of linen < Middle French lavandier ( e ) < Medieval Latin lavandārius (masculine), lavandāria (feminine), equivalent to Latin lavand- (gerund stem of lavāre to wash) + -ārius, -āria -ary; -er ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of launder¹

C14 (n, meaning: a person who washes linen): changed from lavender washerwoman, from Old French lavandiere, ultimately from Latin lavāre to wash

Example Sentences

Moore pleaded guilty last year to seven felonies, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to engage in money laundering and money laundering.

From Los Angeles Times

He accused her of using a joint bank account with her mother to launder money for women and child trafficking.

From BBC

"The industry has pushed back on most of the existing regulatory framework — anti-money laundering rules, tax reporting, even environmental emissions reporting."

From Salon

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was charged with violation of antitrust law, money laundering, and tax fraud and faced prosecution for several other crimes over the years, repeatedly attacked judges, calling them “communist”.

From BBC

Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives in 2023 after being indicted on federal wire fraud and money laundering charges.

From Salon