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

He owns at least one tire repair shop, a cash-heavy business that makes it easy to invent receipts and launder money.

From The Daily Beast

Such actions are, in a sense, allowing Switzerland to launder its reputation.

From The Daily Beast

The waste steam puffed through a launder into the feed-cistern.

From Project Gutenberg

Also he had towels for his own personal use and those he managed to launder, somehow.

From Project Gutenberg

For the mornings there must be several crisp, demure little frocks that are easy to launder.

From Project Gutenberg

In selecting the pieces of cretonne to be used, it is essential to employ only those that will launder well.

From Project Gutenberg

Laundress is formed by adding -ess to launder or laundre, the contracted form of lavender as here used.

From Project Gutenberg