often attributive
scrubbed; scrubbing
1
2
1
: to use hard rubbing in cleaning
2
: to prepare for performing surgery by scrubbing oneself
1
: an act or instance of scrubbing
especially
: cancellation
2
a
: one that scrubs
b
: a powerful and especially cosmetic cleanser
3
scrubs plural
: loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
surgical scrubs
Synonyms
Examples of scrub in a Sentence
Noun (1)
that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had
Verb
We scrubbed and scrubbed until the floor was clean.
They scrubbed the game because of the bad weather.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sonal Dutt, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
Start preparing your skin for summer with an exfoliating scrub on your face and body.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 17 May 2024
In what is considered one of the most intimate moments in movie history, Redford gives Streep a steamy salon scrub in a South African river.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 15 May 2024
Many personal care products, such as scrubs and shampoos, can also release nanoplastics.
—Mohan Qin, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2024
Following the scrub on May 6 due to the aforementioned buzzing valve issue, the crewed capsule will now launch no earlier than May 17.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 May 2024
From bath bombs to face masks to her favorite body scrubs and lotions, give her the gift of a breather.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 12 May 2024
About 70 percent of the reserve is considered a wetland area, with a mix of salt marsh, coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024
After a brief hike through some scrub, Wall finds a creosote bush studded with holes at the roots — evidence of pack rats that will provide the snake with sustenance.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Lidey Heuck, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2024
The launch of Boeing’s Starliner capsule to the International Space Station was scrubbed Monday evening due to a malfunctioning valve on the Atlas V rocket that would blast it into space.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
Sunita Williams, left, and commander Butch Wilmore climbed out of the Starliner capsule shortly after launch was scrubbed and were driven back to crew quarters at the Kennedy Space Center to relax and await word on when they might be cleared to make another launch try.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 7 May 2024
The unscented formula might be ideal for those with sensitivities, but those who prefer a clean smell after scrubbing the floors might find this aspect lacking.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
Something called Frog Club gets reviewed by restaurant critics, even though the only way for the public to get a reservation is to email an address that has now been scrubbed from its website.
—Maria Aspan, Fortune, 2 May 2024
Even Martha Stewart is hopping on the popular trend, donning matching loungewear while scrubbing the kitchen floor — and looking stylish while doing it.
—Leonora Epstein, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Every image was scrubbed, and all records from his tenure as a Trojan were tagged with an asterisk.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Homeland Security Investigations will remain a branch of ICE but will debut its own website next week – scrubbed of ICE insignia — and give employees new email addresses.
—Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
Noun
At the Salamander Middleburg resort, pampering treatments include a pinot noir body wrap, a vino facial and a grape-seed scrub and massage.
7.
—Sonal Dutt, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
Start preparing your skin for summer with an exfoliating scrub on your face and body.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 17 May 2024
In what is considered one of the most intimate moments in movie history, Redford gives Streep a steamy salon scrub in a South African river.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 15 May 2024
Many personal care products, such as scrubs and shampoos, can also release nanoplastics.
—Mohan Qin, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2024
Following the scrub on May 6 due to the aforementioned buzzing valve issue, the crewed capsule will now launch no earlier than May 17.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 May 2024
From bath bombs to face masks to her favorite body scrubs and lotions, give her the gift of a breather.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 12 May 2024
About 70 percent of the reserve is considered a wetland area, with a mix of salt marsh, coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024
After a brief hike through some scrub, Wall finds a creosote bush studded with holes at the roots — evidence of pack rats that will provide the snake with sustenance.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Verb
While the wine comes to a simmer, lift the clams from the water and rinse well under running water, scrubbing if necessary.
6.
—Lidey Heuck, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2024
The launch of Boeing’s Starliner capsule to the International Space Station was scrubbed Monday evening due to a malfunctioning valve on the Atlas V rocket that would blast it into space.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
Sunita Williams, left, and commander Butch Wilmore climbed out of the Starliner capsule shortly after launch was scrubbed and were driven back to crew quarters at the Kennedy Space Center to relax and await word on when they might be cleared to make another launch try.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 7 May 2024
The unscented formula might be ideal for those with sensitivities, but those who prefer a clean smell after scrubbing the floors might find this aspect lacking.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
Something called Frog Club gets reviewed by restaurant critics, even though the only way for the public to get a reservation is to email an address that has now been scrubbed from its website.
—Maria Aspan, Fortune, 2 May 2024
Even Martha Stewart is hopping on the popular trend, donning matching loungewear while scrubbing the kitchen floor — and looking stylish while doing it.
—Leonora Epstein, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Every image was scrubbed, and all records from his tenure as a Trojan were tagged with an asterisk.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Homeland Security Investigations will remain a branch of ICE but will debut its own website next week – scrubbed of ICE insignia — and give employees new email addresses.
—Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scrub.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scrub
Cite this Entry
“Scrub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrub. Accessed 22 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrub
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a thick growth of small or stunted shrubs or trees
b
: an area of land covered with scrub
2
: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior build
3
: a person of small size or low social rank
4
: a player not belonging to the first string
scrub
adjective
scrub
2 of 3 verb
scrubbed; scrubbing
: to rub hard in cleaning or washing
scrub clothes
scrubber
noun
scrub
3 of 3 noun
: an act or instance of scrubbing
Medical Definition
scrub
1 of 2 verb
scrubbed; scrubbing
: to clean and disinfect (the hands and forearms) before participating in surgery
: to prepare for surgery by scrubbing oneself
scrub
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of scrubbing
a surgical scrub
2
plural
: loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
surgical scrubs
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