1
2
a
: scrub vegetation
b
: land covered with scrub vegetation
1
: a device composed of bristles typically set into a handle and used especially for sweeping, smoothing, scrubbing, or painting
2
: something resembling a brush: such as
a
: a bushy tail
b
: a feather tuft worn on a hat
3
: an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or a motor)
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light touch or momentary contact in passing
brushed; brushing; brushes
1
a
: to apply a brush to
b
: to apply with a brush
2
a
: to remove with passing strokes (as of a brush)
b
: to dispose of in an offhand way : dismiss
brushed him off
3
: to pass lightly over or across : touch gently against in passing
brusher
noun
: a brief encounter or skirmish
a brush with disaster
a brush with the law
brushed; brushing; brushes
: to move lightly or heedlessly
brushed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him
Synonyms
Examples of brush in a Sentence
Verb (1)
spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement
Noun (3)
the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded
Verb (2)
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Recent Examples on the Web
Asher Price, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Sewell is a smarmy charmer all over again, only slightly humbled by his brush with death at the end of Season 1.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 Nov. 2024
Then, brush the powder off the leather into a trashcan, and use a soft cloth to wipe away any residue.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brush 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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about these examples.
Noun
Austin's refuse collection department is jettisoning its biannual brush and bulk collections for an on-demand model.
—Asher Price, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Sewell is a smarmy charmer all over again, only slightly humbled by his brush with death at the end of Season 1.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Bieber played the role of Richie in golden blonde hair with a dark root, styled straight with a few layers and falling past her collarbone to brush her overalls.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 Nov. 2024
Then, brush the powder off the leather into a trashcan, and use a soft cloth to wipe away any residue.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brush
Dictionary Entries Near brush
Cite this Entry
“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brush
1 of 5 noun2
a
: short trees or shrubs of poor quality
b
: land covered with brush
brush
2 of 5 noun1
: a tool made of bristles set in a back or handle and used especially for cleaning, smoothing, or painting
2
: a bushy tail (as of a fox or squirrel)
3
: a conductor for an electric current between a moving and a still part of an electric motor or generator
4
a
: an act of brushing
b
: a quick light stroke
brushlike
adjective
-ˌlīk
brush
3 of 5 verb1
a
: to clean, smooth, scrub, or paint with a brush
b
: to apply with or as if with a brush
2
a
: to remove with or as if with a brush
brush the lint off your coat
b
: to pay no attention to : dismiss
brush off criticism
3
: to pass lightly across : touch gently against in passing
twigs brushed my cheek
brush
4 of 5 noun
: a brief fight or meeting
a brush with disaster
brush
5 of 5 verb
: to move quickly past without stopping or paying attention
brushed by the reporters
Etymology
Noun
Middle English brusch "broken or cut twigs or branches," from early French broce "small broken branches, brushwood"
Noun
Middle English brusshe "brush (for sweeping)," derived from early French broisse
Noun
Middle English brusche "a rush, collision," from bruschen "to rush," probably from early French brosser "to dash through underbrush," from broce "brushwood"
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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