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hairdressing

American  
[hair-dres-ing] / ˈhɛərˌdrɛs ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or process of cutting, combing out, doing up, or styling hair.

  2. the vocation or occupation of a hairdresser.

  3. a style of arranging the hair; hairdo; coiffure.

  4. a preparation, as tonic, oil, pomade, or the like, applied to the hair for increased manageability.

Etymology

Origin of hairdressing

First recorded in 1765–75; hair + dressing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Courtney MacKinnon has run a hairdressing business called Cece's Salon in the building for the past four years.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Miller was the first Scottish hairdresser to receive an OBE for services to hairdressing, presented by Her Majesty the Queen in 2012.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

John McMahon, the co-owner of the hairdressing salon in Dublin, where Ms Hand worked, said she had returned to work after the incident but had struggled and resigned in May 2019.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2024

The judgement also involves five other policy holders, including restaurant, catering, fitness and hairdressing businesses, as well as the London International Exhibition Centre.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2024

After a hairdressing, for example, he meets her at the drugstore for her vanilla malt and his cherry smash.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.