dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdre-siŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one who dresses

b

: an instance of such act or process

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish (such as a salad)

b

: a seasoned mixture usually used as a stuffing (as for poultry)

3

a

: material (such as ointment or gauze) applied to cover a lesion or wound

b

: fertilizing material (such as manure or compost)

Synonyms

• cataplasm
• plaster
• poultice

Examples of dressing in a Sentence

We had turkey with dressing and potatoes for dinner.

The nurse cleaned the cut and applied a dressing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the classics—dressing, potatoes, casseroles—there would be an occasional green vegetable, which would most definitely be slow-cooked and swimming in a savory lake of pork-jowl-laden potlikker. —Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024

The owners tell Axios that the stack of crispy chicken, Provolone, Caesar dressing, pickles and chips — on special again next week — is a bestseller, selling the shop out of bread and chicken cutlets. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024

From fall dresses to winter wedding guest looks, Anthropologie is a go-to destination for occasion-worthy dressing. —Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Available today the capsule features 40 items ideal for holiday dressing and special occasions such as intimate family dinners, brunches, and beyond. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dressing

• cross-dressing
• dressing-down
• dressing glass
• dressing gown
• dressing room
• dressing table
• French dressing
• house (salad) dressing
• Italian dressing
• ore dressing
• ranch dressing
• Russian dressing
• salad dressing
• side dressing
• Thousand Island dressing
• top dressing
• window dressing

Kids Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdres-iŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one that dresses

b

: an instance of dressing

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish

b

: a seasoned mixture used as a stuffing (as for poultry) or baked and served separately

3

a

: material (as ointment or gauze) used to cover an injury

b

: fertilizing material (as manure or compost)

Medical Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing -iŋ 

: a covering (as of ointment or gauze) applied to a lesion