Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of cleaning something with water and usually soap or detergent: This refers to the activity of washing.
   • A quantity of clothes, linens, or other items that are to be, are being, or have been washed: This refers to the items themselves.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Act/Process):

  • She does the washing every Sunday. (She performs the laundry cleaning every Sunday.)
  • Hand washing is important for good hygiene. (The act of cleaning hands is important for good hygiene.)

• Noun (Items):

  • He hung the washing on the line to dry. (He hung the laundered items on the line to dry.)
  • There is a large pile of washing to be done. (There is a large pile of items needing to be laundered.)

Advanced Usage

• "To do the washing": to launder clothes or linens.

  • I need to do the washing before we go on vacation. (I need to launder the clothes before we go on vacation.)

• "In the washing": being in the process of being laundered.

  • My favorite shirt is in the washing. (My favorite shirt is currently being laundered.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wash (verb/noun): The base form. As a verb: to clean with water and soap. As a noun: an act of washing or a location where washing occurs (e.g., car wash).
• Washer (noun): A machine for washing clothes; also a small flat ring used in plumbing.
• Washable (adjective): Capable of being washed without damage.

Synonyms

• Laundry: Clothes and linens that need washing or have been washed; also the room or place where washing is done.
• Cleaning: The general act of making something clean.
• Rinsing: Washing with clean water to remove soap.

Related Phrases

• Washing-up (British English): The act of washing dishes, pans, etc., after a meal.

  • It's your turn to do the washing-up. (It's your turn to wash the dishes.)

• Washing machine: An electric appliance for washing laundry.

  • The new washing machine is very quiet. (The new laundry appliance is very quiet.)

Related Idioms

• Come out in the wash: (Informal) To be resolved satisfactorily in the end; problems will be solved.

  • Don't worry about the details; it will all come out in the wash. (Don't worry; everything will be resolved satisfactorily.)

• Wash one's hands of something: To refuse to accept responsibility for something any longer.

  • After the argument, he washed his hands of the entire project. (After the argument, he refused to be responsible for the project.)

Noun

1. garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
2. the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)