wash

verb

\ ˈwȯsh

, ˈwäsh, chiefly Midland also ˈwȯrsh

or ˈwärsh

washed; washing; washes

Definition of wash

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (such as water)

b : to remove (something, such as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid

2 : to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva

3a : to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid

b(1) : to wet thoroughly : drench

(2) : to overspread with light : suffuse

c : to pass a liquid (such as water) over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior

4 : to flow along or dash or overflow against waves washing the shore

5 : to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion houses washed away by the flood

6a : to subject (something, such as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material

b : to separate (particles) from a substance (such as ore) by agitation with or in water

c(1) : to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components

(2) : to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components

7a : to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (such as whitewash or varnish)

b : to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush

8 : to cause to swirl washing coffee around in his cup

9 : launder sense 3 how the mob washes its money through corrupt bankers— Vincent Teresa

intransitive verb

1 : to wash oneself or a part of one's body

2 : to become worn away by the action of water

3 : to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water

4a : to become carried along on water : drift cakes of ice washing along

b : to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current waves of pioneers washing westward— Green Peyton

5 : to serve as a cleansing agent this soap washes thoroughly

6a : to undergo laundering this dress doesn't wash well

b(1) : to undergo testing successfully : work sense 3 an interesting theory, but it just won't wash

(2) : to gain acceptance : inspire belief the story didn't wash with me

wash one's hands of

: to disclaim interest in, responsibility for, or further connection with

wash

noun

Definition of wash (Entry 2 of 4)

1a : a piece of ground washed by the sea or river

b : bog, marsh

c(1) : a shallow body of water

(2) : a shallow creek

d Western US : the dry bed of a stream

— called also dry wash

2a : the act or process or an instance of washing or being washed

b : articles to be washed, being washed, or having been washed

3 : the surging action or sound of waves also : something resembling this action or sound the warm wash of applause that followed her … introduction — John Updike

4a : worthless especially liquid waste : refuse

b : an insipid beverage

c : vapid writing or speech

5a : a sweep or splash especially of color made by or as if by a long stroke of a brush in the gray wash of early morning

b : a thin coat of paint (such as watercolor)

c : a thin liquid used for coating a surface (such as a wall)

6 : lotion

7 : loose or eroded surface material of the earth (such as rock debris) transported and deposited by running water

8a : backwash sense 1

b : a disturbance in a fluid (such as water or the air) produced by the passage of an airfoil or propeller

9 : a situation in which losses and gains or advantages and disadvantages balance each other

wash

Definition of wash

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