parched; parching; parches

transitive verb

1
: to toast under dry heat
2
: to shrivel with heat
3
: to dry or shrivel with cold

intransitive verb

: to become dry or scorched

Examples of parch in a Sentence

The hot desert sun had parched the land. the heat has really parched my throat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Full Story In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Climate change parches Western US, providing fuel for fires Climate change is making the Western United States drier, which can fuel wildfires like those affecting Los Angeles. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025 As a result, vegetation that would typically be full of water by midwinter instead remained parched. Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 As a result, many of the plants that grew last year are parched, turning trees, grasses and bushes into kindling that was ready to explode. David Gelles, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The scene is bathed in pale moonlight, which sticks out in a movie that so often leaves your eyes parched for light. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parch 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near parch

Cite this Entry

“Parch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parch. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

parch

verb
1
: to toast by dry heat
2
: to wilt with heat

More from Merriam-Webster on parch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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