laundry

[ lawn-dree, lahn- ]

noun

, plural laun·dries.

1. articles of clothing, linens, etc., that have been or are to be washed.
2. a business establishment where clothes, linens, etc., are laundered.
3. a room or area, as in a home or apartment building, reserved for doing the family wash.

laundry

/ ˈlɔːndrɪ /

noun

1. a place where clothes and linen are washed and ironed
2. the clothes or linen washed and ironed
3. the act of laundering

Word History and Origins

Origin of laundry¹

1350–1400; Middle English lavandrie < Middle French lavanderie. See launder, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of laundry¹

C16: changed from C14 lavendry; see launder

Idioms and Phrases

see wash one's dirty linen (laundry) .

Example Sentences

The representation of one of the infamous laundries, institutions run by the Catholic order to house so-called fallen women, was part of the appeal for him.

From Los Angeles Times

The aristocrat who still mourns the “loss” of India, who shields his crimes and dirty laundry beneath the Official Secrets Act.

From Los Angeles Times

This year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission settled a discrimination lawsuit against BaronHR and Radiant Services, a commercial laundry company, that raised similar issues involving gender and race.

From New York Times

She grabbed books, laundry, anything she could carry, but remembers thinking that with their house so far above the water there was no way it could be affected.

From BBC

The laundry list of injuries has thrown rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still into major roles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• washing