1
2
a
: scrub vegetation
b
: land covered with scrub vegetation
1
: a device composed of bristles typically set into a handle and used especially for sweeping, smoothing, scrubbing, or painting
2
: something resembling a brush: such as
a
: a bushy tail
b
: a feather tuft worn on a hat
3
: an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or a motor)
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light touch or momentary contact in passing
brushed; brushing; brushes
1
a
: to apply a brush to
b
: to apply with a brush
2
a
: to remove with passing strokes (as of a brush)
b
: to dispose of in an offhand way : dismiss
brushed him off
3
: to pass lightly over or across : touch gently against in passing
brusher
noun
: a brief encounter or skirmish
a brush with disaster
a brush with the law
brushed; brushing; brushes
: to move lightly or heedlessly
brushed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him
Synonyms
Examples of brush in a Sentence
Verb (1)
spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement
Noun (3)
the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded
Verb (2)
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
Once the weather passes, remove the fabric and brush off any snow.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
Using mouthwash right after brushing rinses off the toothpaste prematurely, which lessens the positive effects of fluoride in the toothpaste.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brush 
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Noun
The proposal would cut off Brooklyn’s sole eastern access road and sever the town from its historic cemetery, which is now clear of weeds and brush largely thanks to a restoration project with the Illinois archaeologists.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
Once the weather passes, remove the fabric and brush off any snow.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
The actor wore a wool suit with silver buttons, a white poplin shirt, a black silk cummerbund and brushed leather lace-up shoes.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
Using mouthwash right after brushing rinses off the toothpaste prematurely, which lessens the positive effects of fluoride in the toothpaste.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brush
Dictionary Entries Near brush
Cite this Entry
“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brush
1 of 5 noun2
a
: short trees or shrubs of poor quality
b
: land covered with brush
brush
2 of 5 noun1
: a tool made of bristles set in a back or handle and used especially for cleaning, smoothing, or painting
2
: a bushy tail (as of a fox or squirrel)
3
: a conductor for an electric current between a moving and a still part of an electric motor or generator
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light stroke
brushlike
adjective
-ˌlīk
brush
3 of 5 verb1
a
: to clean, smooth, scrub, or paint with a brush
b
: to apply with or as if with a brush
2
a
: to remove with or as if with a brush
brush the lint off your coat
b
: to pay no attention to : dismiss
brush off criticism
3
: to pass lightly across : touch gently against in passing
twigs brushed my cheek
brush
4 of 5 noun
: a brief fight or meeting
a brush with disaster
brush
5 of 5 verb
: to move quickly past without stopping or paying attention
brushed by the reporters
Etymology
Noun
Middle English brusch "broken or cut twigs or branches," from early French broce "small broken branches, brushwood"
Noun
Middle English brusshe "brush (for sweeping)," derived from early French broisse
Noun
Middle English brusche "a rush, collision," from bruschen "to rush," probably from early French brosser "to dash through underbrush," from broce "brushwood"
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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