1
: fine particles of matter (as of earth)
2
: the particles into which something disintegrates
3
a
: something worthless
b
: a state of humiliation
4
a
: the earth especially as a place of burial
b
: the surface of the ground
5
a
: a cloud of dust
b
6
archaic
: a single particle (as of earth)
7
British
: refuse ready for collection
dusted; dusting; dusts
1
archaic
: to make dusty
2
: to make free of dust
dust the living room
3
a
: to sprinkle with fine particles
a cake dusted with sugar
b
: to sprinkle in the form of dust
4
: to throw a fastball close to (a batter) : brush back
—often used with off
5
: to defeat badly (as in a race)
1
of a bird
: to work dust into the feathers
2
: to remove dust
3
: to give off dust
Examples of dust in a Sentence
Noun
The floor was covered with dust.
You can see the dust particles floating through the air.
There is not a speck of dust in that house.
As the car sped down the dirt road, it left a cloud of dust behind.
He wiped the chalk dust off his hands.
Verb
I dust at least once a week.
Dust the pan with flour.
The crops will be dusted with pesticide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
Either the kids get discovered now or their dreams may turn to dust.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Try to commit to a regular cleaning routine, including vacuuming, damp mopping, and dusting surfaces once a week.
—Daniel More, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dust
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Exposure to silica dust can cause severe lung disease.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
Either the kids get discovered now or their dreams may turn to dust.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Bigmouth Buffalo Is In No Hurry To Grow Its Population
Broad-bodied, olive-toned and often dusted with copper or black speckles, the bigmouth buffalo, or Ictiobus cyprinellus, can grow over four feet long and tip the scales at 80 pounds.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Try to commit to a regular cleaning routine, including vacuuming, damp mopping, and dusting surfaces once a week.
—Daniel More, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dust
Cite this Entry
“Dust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dust. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dust
1 of 2 noun1
a
: fine dry powdery particles (as of earth)
b
: a fine powder
2
: the powdery remains of bodies once alive
3
: something worthless
4
: the surface of the ground
dust
2 of 2 verb1
: to make free of dust : brush or wipe away dust
dusted the living room
2
: to sprinkle with dust or as a dust
dust a pan with flour
dust insecticide on plants
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