dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdre-siŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one who dresses

b

: an instance of such act or process

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish (such as a salad)

b

: a seasoned mixture usually used as a stuffing (as for poultry)

3

a

: material (such as ointment or gauze) applied to cover a lesion or wound

b

: fertilizing material (such as manure or compost)

Synonyms

• cataplasm
• plaster
• poultice

Examples of dressing in a Sentence

We had turkey with dressing and potatoes for dinner.

The nurse cleaned the cut and applied a dressing.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the runways two themes emerged: a return to a classical femininity and a call for individuality and the end of cookie-cutter, formula dressing. —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025

The sassy semi-homemade dressing (featuring Italian dressing, balsamic, honey, and crushed red pepper flakes), the tender sautéed chicken, and the enticing combination of colorful vegetables really help this supper shine. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025

Campisi recommended the old-timey house salad, of course, with a touch of Romano cheese, pepperoncinis and house oil and vinegar dressing. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2025

Vance's dressing down of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office was criticized on both sides of the Atlantic and even by some Republicans. —Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dressing

• cross-dressing
• dressing-down
• dressing glass
• dressing gown
• dressing room
• dressing table
• French dressing
• house (salad) dressing
• Italian dressing
• ore dressing
• ranch dressing
• Russian dressing
• salad dressing
• side dressing
• Thousand Island dressing
• top dressing
• window dressing

Rhymes for dressing

• blessing
• guessing
• messing
• pressing
• stressing
• accessing
• addressing
• assessing
• caressing
• compressing
• confessing
• depressing

Kids Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdres-iŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one that dresses

b

: an instance of dressing

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish

b

: a seasoned mixture used as a stuffing (as for poultry) or baked and served separately

3

a

: material (as ointment or gauze) used to cover an injury

b

: fertilizing material (as manure or compost)

Medical Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing -iŋ 

: a covering (as of ointment or gauze) applied to a lesion