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

Kendall Jenner just delivered the textbook example of high-low dressing. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024

Method dressing has become a must-do marketing technique for celebrities. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 5 Dec. 2024

The evolution to one-of-a-kind gemstone pieces gives Jared a newfound place in the ambitious world of celebrity dressing. —Thomas Waller, WWD, 4 Dec. 2024

Kate Middleton Dips into a Picture-Perfect Curtsy for King Charles and Queen Camilla In addition to being a master of the curtsy, Kate is by now an expert in diplomatic dressing, a skill on display today. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

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

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