sponge
noun
\ ˈspənj
\
\
Definition of sponge
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1)
: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water
(2)
: a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing)
(3)
: a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge
b
: any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults
2
: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge)
3
: one who lives on others
4a
: a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough
b
: a whipped dessert usually containing whites of eggs or gelatin
c
: a metal (such as platinum) obtained in porous form usually by reduction without fusion
titanium sponge
d
: the egg mass of a crab
5
: an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix
sponge
verb
sponged;
sponging
Definition of sponge (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge
2
: to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge
—often used with out
3
: to get by sponging on another
4
: to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge
1
: to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge
2
: to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature
sponged off of her sister
3
: to dive or dredge for sponges
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Other Words from sponge
Noun
spongelike
\ ˈspənj-ˌlīk
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
sponger
noun
Synonyms for sponge
Synonyms: Noun
bloodsucker, free rider, freeloader, hanger-on, leech, moocher, parasite, sponger
Synonyms: Verb
absorb, drink, imbibe, soak (up), suck (up), take up
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Examples of sponge in a Sentence
Noun
finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a jobVerb
She sponged up the spilt milk. He sponged off his face. She sponged the dirt off her shirt. She always sponges meals from us.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Some argue the first multicellular organism was probably a sedentary filter feeder, like a microscopic sponge. — Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, "The world’s first animal was probably a carnivore," 30 Aug. 2019 But new testing methods developed in the 1970s and 1980s allowed for the study of babies’ brains in new and revelatory ways that showed that during the first five years of life, children’s brains were like sponges. — Rick Kogan, chicagotribune.com, "‘No Small Matter’ shows how childhood is a brief, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," 24 June 2019 The team’s research showed the bot figuring out how to make a spatula out of a flat piece of metal and a magnet, and how to jam a pointed screwdriver through a sponge to create a squeegee. — Mike Murphy, Quartz, "We’re teaching robots to build their own tools," 15 Aug. 2019 Pomponi, on the other hand, studies sea sponges and tested a new handheld sampling tool that could have potential applications in space, such as sampling planetary rocks and sediments. — Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, "NASA Scientists and Astronauts Practice for Space Missions on the Seafloor," 29 July 2019 And there are better dessert options than a stiff coconut cream pie or the soggy caramel sponge masquerading as sticky toffee pudding. — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "Review: Cappy’s keeps its groove as Alamo Heights’ go-to restaurant," 18 July 2019 In a warmer climate, the sponge is bigger because warm air can hold more water vapor. — David Fleshler, sun-sentinel.com, "A new top killer emerges in hurricanes, and many blame climate change," 28 June 2019 Moments after Bochy’s coaches and trainers toasted him in his office with fine Kentucky bourbon, Bochy walked into the clubhouse and became a human Budweiser sponge. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants pound Mets in 10th inning for Bruce Bochy’s 1,000th regular-season win," 4 June 2019 Early work suggested that sponges were the most simple, ancient offshoot of the animal family tree, with comb jellies later forking from the line that yielded jellyfish and, eventually, us. — Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "Spectacular new fossil bonanza captures explosion of early life," 21 Mar. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
For decades, the Sardar Sarovar sponged up almost all of Gujarat’s irrigation budget. — Arundhati Roy, Quartz India, "Tribespeople in India’s Gujarat fiercely resisted a mega dam—but they got a mega statue, too," 8 July 2019 Its tentacle-like roots have sponged up water in already thirsty districts. — Peter Schwartzstein, National Geographic, "An invasive, thorny tree is taking over Africa—can it be stopped?," 9 Apr. 2019 Next, use a clean, white cloth to sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent like Guardsman Professional Strength Dry Cleaning Fluid. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Remove Vomit Stains From Carpet, Clothing, and More," 5 Mar. 2019 If any stains remain, sponge the surface with a cloth moistened in 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 cup warm water — but do a spot test on a hidden area first to make sure the fabric won't get damaged. — Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in the Mustiest Corners of Your House," 6 Feb. 2019 Repeat the process using another soft cloth dipped in water to gently sponge away the chlorine, but don't rub or oversaturate the paper. — Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in the Mustiest Corners of Your House," 6 Feb. 2019 For blood stains, soak the item in cold water first (or sponge it with hydrogen peroxide), and then wash as usual with the detergent. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Only True Sticklers for Cleanliness Will Be Able to Pass This Stain Removal Quiz," 15 Nov. 2018 More on Labor Markets Amazon’s wage increase may pressure competitors by sponging up job candidates, and that could spill over to other sectors. — Lauren Weber, WSJ, "Amazon’s Wage Increase Adds Pressure for Employers to Boost Pay," 2 Oct. 2018 Acrylic Paint Flush the spot with warm water, then sponge it with a solution of one part dishwashing liquid soap and one part warm water. — Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Paint Out of Clothes and More," 2 Jan. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sponge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.