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)

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

Other Words from sponge Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sponge

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Choose the Right Synonym for sponge

Noun

parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker. parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society. a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation. a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker. cultivated leaders of society and became their toady leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage. a leech living off his family and friends sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger. a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

Examples of sponge in a Sentence

Noun

finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job

Verb

She sponged up the spilt milk.

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

These 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.

sponge

Definition of sponge

Other Words from sponge

Synonyms for sponge

Choose the Right Synonym for sponge

Examples of sponge in a Sentence

First Known Use of sponge

sponge

Definition of sponge

Other Words from sponge

Synonyms for sponge

Choose the Right Synonym for sponge

Examples of sponge in a Sentence

First Known Use of sponge

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