washing

[ wosh-ing, waw-shing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that washes; ablution.
2. clothes, linens, etc., washed or to be washed, especially those washed at one time; wash.
3. Often washings. any liquid that has been used to wash something.
4. matter removed or carried off in washing something or by the force of water:

   The washings from numerous spring floods had clogged the mouth of the river.

5. Mining.
   1. material, as gold dust, obtained by washing earth, gravel, etc.
   2. the deposits so washed.
6. Metalworking. wash ( def 46 ).
7. the act of making a wash sale.

washing

/ ˈwɒʃɪŋ /

noun

1. articles that have been or are to be washed together on a single occasion
2. liquid in which an article has been washed
3. something, such as gold dust or metal ore, that has been obtained by washing
4. a thin coat of something applied in liquid form

Word History and Origins

Origin of washing¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, washing is from the Middle English word wasschunge. See wash, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Better battery-charged heated gloves will even offer the ability to remove the electrical components to allow for washing and drying gloves.

From Popular-Science

Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.

From Washington Post

By keeping up with your social distancing, hand washing, and mask-wearing, you will thank yourself later.

From Popular-Science

Once the water bills started piling up, Shara Sin and her children switched to eating off paper plates to avoid the cost of washing.

From Voice of San Diego

This pair directly targets the heel, feet, and calf, and they’re anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking to allow for multiple wears without consistent washing.

From Popular-Science

For days, the ruble has been falling and salaries shrinking; shoppers have rushed to snap up TV sets and washing machines.

From The Daily Beast

Followers had traveled many miles to mourn the loss, and aid in the ritual washing, dressing, and honoring of the body.

From The Daily Beast

As infants, my kids ate food right off the floor without washing or boiling.

From The Daily Beast

The gloves washing with the alcohol, that makes sense to me.

From The Daily Beast

Some facilities had begun erecting “bamboo hand washing stations” at the entrance to hospitals, but not enough.

From The Daily Beast

At this same time they seized in Nangasaqui a servant of the father provincial, Matheo Couros, who was washing his clothes.

From Project Gutenberg

With Wright's stain it can be brought out by staining longer and washing less than for the ordinary blood-stain.

From Project Gutenberg

"Farmer Green's cat was washing her face on the doorsteps," Sandy explained triumphantly.

From Project Gutenberg

She peeped out at him two or three times as she stood washing herself in the little basin between the windows.

From Project Gutenberg

Is spring water fit for washing the iodized paper; if it contains either sulphate or bicarbonate of lime or muriate of soda?

From Project Gutenberg