washingwash‧ing /ˈwɒʃɪŋ $ ˈwɒː-, ˈwɑː-/ ●●● S2 noun [singular, uncountable] 
I really must do the washing (=wash the dirty clothes). Could you put the washing out (=hang it on a washing line) for me?
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- And also Jagger's compulsive washing of hands.
- Frequent washing and thorough drying of feet makes them feel comfortable and keeps them healthy.
- I remember the periods that he went through, dish washing and doing house work and those kind of things.
- It is usually simplest if a washing machine can go next to the sink, but it can easily fit in other places.
- She loved doing the washing herself.
- She spends the next ten years taking in washing, slaving away to pay back the money they borrowed to replace it.
- You are just lying there with these people washing, dressing and at the same time inflicting pain on you.
THESAURUS
to clean something with soap and water: · Our car needs washing.· Make sure that you wash your hands.
British English, do the laundry American English to wash clothes that need to be washed: · Did you do the laundry this morning?· I do the washing on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
British English (also wash up British English), do the dishes American English to wash all the cups, plates, knives etc that you have used during a meal: · If you do the cooking tonight, I’ll do the washing up.· Who’s going to do the dishes?
formal to make something completely clean, especially using a special substance: · Carefully cleanse the cut to get rid of any grit or dirt.
to wash something with water in order to remove soap or dirt: · I’ll just rinse the lettuce under the tap.
to make something very clean, using a stiff brush and water, or soap and water: · Lou was on her knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor.
to wash a floor with a wet mop (=special stick with thick threads on the end): · A cleaner mopped the floor between the beds.
Longman Language Activatorto wash clothes to wash clothes, especially in a washing machine: · Could you wash this shirt for me?· I seem to spend all my time washing and ironing these days.· You ought to wash that sweater by hand.
to clean clothes by using special chemicals instead of soap and water: · Don't put that dress in the washing machine - the label says it should be dry-cleaned.
British /do the laundry American to wash clothes that need to be washed: · Did you do the laundry this morning?· I had to go to the laundromat to do the washing.
to wash clothes by hand, not in a washing machine: · I usually hand wash the socks and underwear, and put the rest in the machine.· Delicate garments and woollens should be handwashed.
clothes that are in the wash are being washed or are waiting to be washed: · "Where's my yellow blouse?" "It's in the wash."· You'll have to wear these - your other pants are in the wash.
also washing British clothes that need to be washed, are being washed, or have just been washed: · a basket of laundry· There was dirty washing all over the floor.
able to be washed in water without being spoiled: · Let's have a look at the label on those trousers. Are they washable?· I always buy cotton clothes that are easily washable.
WORD SETSbin, nounbin liner, nounboil, verbborax, nounBrillo pad, nounbroom, nounbroomstick, nouncarpet sweeper, nounchar, verbchar, nouncharlady, nouncharwoman, nounchimney sweep, nouncleaner, nouncleanser, nounclothes basket, nounclothesline, nounclothes peg, nounconditioner, noundeodorize, verbdescale, verbdisinfect, verbdisinfectant, noundry-clean, verbdust, verbduster, noundustpan, nounfabric softener, nounfeather duster, nounflush, verbFrench polish, nounfumigate, verbhamper, nounHoover, nounhoover, verbhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectivekitchen roll, nounlaundry basket, nounlimescale, nounline, nounload, nounmangle, nounmop, nounmop, verbpolish, nounrag, nounrinse, verbrinse, nounsanitary, adjectivesanitation, nounscour, verbscourer, nounscrub, verbscrub, nounscrubbing brush, nounshampoo, nounsoak, verbsoak, nounsoapflakes, nounsoap powder, nounsoapsuds, nounsoapy, adjectivesoda, nounsoftener, nounspin, verbspin-dryer, nounsqueegee, nounstarch, verbsuds, nounswab, verbsweep, verbsweep, nounsweeper, nounsweepings, nounswill, verbswill, nountea cloth, nountea towel, nountide-mark, nounturpentine, nounturps, nounvacuum, nounvacuum, verbvacuum cleaner, nounwash, nounwashable, adjectivewashboard, nounwashcloth, nounwashday, nounwasher, nounwasher-dryer, nounwashing, nounwashing line, nounwashing machine, nounwashing powder, nounwashing soda, nounwashing-up, nounwashing-up liquid, nounwashtub, nounwhisk broom, nounwindow cleaner, nounwipe, verbwire wool, nounwring, verbwringer, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I really must do the washing (=wash the dirty clothes). Could you put the washing out (=hang it on a washing line) for me?COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She circled the bedroom, picking up dirty clothes. She hung the clothes out on the washing line (=line for hanging wet clothes on to dry). It’s your turn to do the washing-up, Sam.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
I really must do the washing (=wash the dirty clothes). Could you put the washing out (=hang it on a washing line) for me? (=for washing the dishes in)· a plastic washing-up bowl
She circled the bedroom, picking up dirty clothes. She hung the clothes out on the washing line (=line for hanging wet clothes on to dry). (=for washing clothes)· Put your dirty clothes straight in the washing machine.
It’s your turn to do the washing-up, Sam.· Plumbing for an automatic washing machine.· The Hatton flat and the Cullam house had one thing in common, an automatic washing machine.
NOUN· She puts them in the washing machine, on long soak, and removes every trace.· The estate is boycotted by hire firms, so they'd been forced to buy a television and washing machine new.· For mums it was the era of the cheap washing machine that would free them from drudgery.· But she'd have to install some kind of washing machine.· Is there room for a freezer in the garage or for a washing machine in the bathroom?· The washing liquid in Shell fuels cleans inside your engine just as a washing machine cleans your clothes.· There is a wash-house with its original copper and an early example of a washing machine.· The Hatton flat and the Cullam house had one thing in common, an automatic washing machine.
VERB· Liz took her time over washing, in order to give the child a chance to return to bed.· Under the fluorescent light, we took turns washing and packing.· She spends the next ten years taking in washing, slaving away to pay back the money they borrowed to replace it.· Are the kitchen and utility room large enough to take your washing machine, dryer, freezer, refrigerator, etc?· He usually took his own washing to the laundry.
WORD FAMILYnounwashwasherwashingadjectivewashableunwashedverbwash
British English clothes that need to be washed, are being washed, or have just been washed SYN wash American English: I really must do the washing (=wash the dirty clothes). Could you put the washing out (=hang it on a washing line) for me?