often attributive
scrubbed; scrubbing
1
2
1
: to use hard rubbing in cleaning
2
: to prepare for performing surgery by scrubbing oneself
1
: an act or instance of scrubbing
especially
: cancellation
2
a
: one that scrubs
b
: a powerful and especially cosmetic cleanser
3
scrubs plural
: loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
surgical scrubs
Synonyms
Examples of scrub in a Sentence
Noun (1)
that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had
Verb
We scrubbed and scrubbed until the floor was clean.
They scrubbed the game because of the bad weather.
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
Oils, scrubs, and detoxes all provide balance and ensure optimal growth.
—Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Chad Angle, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Luxury Bar Soaps of 2024
Our editors scrubbed, lathered up, and rinsed our way through dozens of bar soaps to create this list.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scrub 
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Noun
Weather led to a scrub of the Aug. 3 attempt, but SpaceX was able to launch despite Tropical Storm Debby churning off Florida’s southwest coast.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
Oils, scrubs, and detoxes all provide balance and ensure optimal growth.
—Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
Anything that is negative or sensitive should be scrubbed from the Internet as much as possible, and steps should be taken to mitigate or repair any potential damage that could be caused by the information.
—Chad Angle, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Luxury Bar Soaps of 2024
Our editors scrubbed, lathered up, and rinsed our way through dozens of bar soaps to create this list.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scrub
Dictionary Entries Near scrub
Cite this Entry
“Scrub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrub. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrub
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a thick growth of small or stunted shrubs or trees
b
: an area of land covered with scrub
2
: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior build
3
: a person of small size or low social rank
4
: a player not belonging to the first string
scrub
adjective
scrub
2 of 3 verb
scrubbed; scrubbing
: to rub hard in cleaning or washing
scrub clothes
scrubber
noun
scrub
3 of 3 noun
: an act or instance of scrubbing
Medical Definition
scrub
1 of 2 verb
scrubbed; scrubbing
: to clean and disinfect (the hands and forearms) before participating in surgery
: to prepare for surgery by scrubbing oneself
scrub
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of scrubbing
a surgical scrub
2
plural
: loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
surgical scrubs
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