Definition

1. Verb:

   • To clean, smooth, or etch a hard surface (like stone, metal, or glass) by directing a high-pressure stream of sand or another abrasive material at it. This process removes surface material through abrasion.

2. Noun:

   • A machine or device used to project a stream of abrasive material.
   • The stream of abrasive material itself.
   • The process or result of using this technique.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • The workers will sandblast the old graffiti off the concrete wall.
  • To restore the vintage car, they had to sandblast the rusted frame before repainting it.
  • The artist used a special tool to sandblast intricate designs into the glass panel.

• Noun:

  • The restoration team used a sandblast to clean the stone façade of the historic building.
  • The surface had a smooth, matte finish after the sandblast.

Advanced Usage

• "to be sandblasted": Describes the state of a surface after undergoing the process.
  • The metal sign looked brand new after it was sandblasted.
• Used metaphorically to describe a harsh, abrasive effect.
  • Her face felt sandblasted by the fierce desert wind.

Variants and Related Words

• Sandblaster (n): A person who operates a sandblasting machine, or the machine itself.
  • The sandblaster wore protective gear to avoid inhaling dust.
• Sandblasting (n, gerund): The action or process of using a sandblast.
  • Sandblasting is an essential step in preparing metal for painting.

Synonyms

• Abrasive blasting: A more general technical term for the process.
• Grit-blast: Similar process using different abrasive materials.
• Etch (verb, for similar effect on glass/metal): To cut a design or pattern into a surface, often using acid or a similar process.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• "to blast clean": A phrase describing the cleaning action of sandblasting.
  • The contractor recommended we blast clean the brickwork before repointing.

Related Idioms

No common idioms are directly based on the word "sandblast."

Noun

1. a blast of wind laden with sand

Verb

1. grind with a sandblast
   • sandblast the facade of the building