mildew
noun
mil·dew
| \ ˈmil-ˌdü
, -ˌdyü\
, -ˌdyü\
Definition of mildew
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)
b
: a fungus producing mildew
2
: a discoloration caused by fungi
mildew
verb
mildewed;
mildewing;
mildews
Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)
: to affect with or as if with mildew
: to become affected with mildew
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Other Words from mildew
Noun
mildewy
\ ˈmil-ˌdü-ē
, -ˌdyü- \
adjective
, -ˌdyü- \
adjective
Examples of mildew in a Sentence
Noun
The basement's damp walls were covered with mildew.Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Before selling its products, each producer must pay for a representative sample to be lab tested for potency, mold, mildew, pesticides, and other contaminants. — Naomi Martin, BostonGlobe.com, "The essential guide to buying and consuming pot in Massachusetts," 6 Aug. 2019 Here's what to do if there is still an odor: Wipe the inside of the unit with equal parts of vinegar and water to destroy mildew. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Power out? Here's what to do with refrigerated and frozen foods," 22 July 2019 That whole time, the team on the ground will have to keep several hundred tons of bait dry and mildew-free. — National Geographic, "Episode 5: The Zombie Mice of Marion Island," 9 July 2019 Two other restaurants were both found to have mildew in their ice machines, records show. — Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, "Gnats fly around dining room at Houston restaurant during inspections June 24 to June 30," 5 July 2019 When cooled, the foam becomes solid and is rot- and mildew-resistant. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, "This House Is Made from 600,000 Recycled Plastic Water Bottles," 27 June 2019 But Midwest Haunters — frankly, the place smelled like damp swamp, mildew and latex masks. — Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, "The country’s second-largest haunted house trade show is in Schaumburg. Where else will you find a 465-pound headless corpse?," 10 June 2019 Let’s hope for tomato-ripening and mildew-drying heat after that. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, "34 things to do in the garden in July," 3 July 2019 According to the Kickstarter page, their smart towels are fast-drying, highly absorbent, naturally antibacterial (preventing mildew, which could cause odor), soft, lightweight, eco-friendly, and extra large. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "These Smart Towels Are Naturally Antibacterial, so They’ll Never Smell," 8 May 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The Issue: Mildew If the grout is mildewed or badly stained, mix a 50/50 solution of oxygen bleach and water, and apply it with a sponge or pump-up sprayer. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Clean Dirty Grout," 5 Dec. 2018 Residents have reported sagging porches, mildewing wood and leaky roofs. — Fox News, "Brad Pitt's foundation facing lawsuit over degradation of New Orleans homes," 30 Aug. 2018 Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse. — Richard Lawson, Vanities, "Chloë Grace Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham’s Reunion Proves Young Love Is Complicated," 9 Oct. 2017 Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse. — Richard Lawson, vanityfair.com, "Chloë Grace Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham’s Reunion Proves Young Love Is Complicated," 9 Oct. 2017 On a recent day, the inside walls of the home were mildewed and the clothes still in the closet were showing spots. — Mimi Whitefield, miamiherald, "Cuban fishing village made famous by Hemingway busy with recovery efforts after Irma," 5 Oct. 2017 The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people. — Alan Blinder, The Seattle Times, "Hauling away Harvey’s debris an enormous, urgent task," 6 Sep. 2017 The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people. — John Schwartz And Alan Blinder, New York Times, "An Enormous, Urgent Task: Hauling Away Harvey’s Debris," 6 Sep. 2017 For the past 20 years, my husband, Alex, and I—West Coast transplants and die-hard beach people—have spent a ridiculous amount of money to rent a mildewing summer house on the tip of Long Island. — Rebecca Misner, CNT, "For the Ultimate Mediterranean Sailing Trip, Ditch the Captain and Crew," 20 July 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mildew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for mildew
mildew
noun
English Language Learners Definition of mildew
: a usually white substance that grows on the surface of things in wet, warm conditions
See the full definition for mildew in the English Language Learners Dictionary
mildew
noun
mil·dew
| \ ˈmil-ˌdü
, -ˌdyü\
, -ˌdyü\
Kids Definition of mildew
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a thin whitish growth produced by a fungus especially on decaying material or on living plants
2
: a fungus producing mildew
mildew
verb
mildewed;
mildewing
Kids Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)
: to become affected with mildew
mildew
noun
mil·dew
| \ ˈmil-ˌd(y)ü
\
\
Medical Definition of mildew
1
: a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)
2
: a fungus producing mildew