permanent press

noun

1

: the process of treating a fabric with a chemical (such as a resin) and heat for setting the shape and for aiding wrinkle resistance

2

: material treated by permanent press

3

: the condition of material treated by permanent press

permanent-press

ˈpər-mə-nənt-ˈpres 

ˈpərm-nənt-

adjective

Examples of permanent press in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Every dryer’s settings might look slightly different based on the manufacturer (permanent press, steam dry, delicates, timed dry, and so on). —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2025

Use the delicate or permanent press cycle for thin fabrics, and the normal cycle for towels or heavier fabrics. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025

Warm water is also ideal for washing white clothes made of rayon or denim, and clothing labeled as permanent press. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2025

Wash using a permanent press cycle, which has a cool-down method to reduce wrinkles, in cold water. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024

For almost all of the picks of our list, the directive is to wash the sets on a cold, permanent press or gentle cycle with gentle laundry detergent and tumble dry on low or line dry. —Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023

Standard dryers also include pre-set options depending on the fabric or items being dried—towels, delicates, and permanent press may sound familiar. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023

These include normal, quick, heavy-duty, bulky, rinse and spin, delicates, and permanent press cycles. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2023

It can be found in various household products, as well as permanent press fabrics, paints and coatings, lacquers and finishes. —Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for permanent press

• adulteress
• adventuress
• nevertheless
• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress

Kids Definition

permanent press

noun

: the process of treating a fabric chemically to resist wrinkling

permanent-press adjective