mist

1 of 2

noun

1
: water in the form of particles floating or falling in the atmosphere at or near the surface of the earth and approaching the form of rain
2
: something that obscures understanding
mists of antiquity
3
: a film before the eyes
4
a
: a cloud of small particles or objects suggestive of a mist
b
: a suspension of a finely divided liquid in a gas
c
: a fine spray
5
: a drink of liquor served over cracked ice

mist

2 of 2

verb

misted; misting; mists

intransitive verb

1
: to be or become misty
2
: to become moist or blurred

transitive verb

: to cover or spray with or convert to mist

Examples of mist in a Sentence

Noun We could barely see the shore through the mist. The hills were veiled in a fine mist. an issue clouded by mists of confusion Verb The plant should be misted regularly. It was misting when we arrived.
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.
Noun
Winter brings mist that blankets the ground, giving the landscape a hushed tranquility, while spring and summer deliver fields of wildflowers and the soothing buzz of bees. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Notable features include an adjustable/rotating nozzle, high and low mist modes, and a mood light. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Joan wasn’t among the advertising-agency employees misted by Guy’s flesh. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024 The few misting cool-down stations listed in the official schedule were all packed with people seeking respite. Alden Wicker, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for mist 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle Dutch mist mist, Greek omichlē

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mist was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near mist

Cite this Entry

“Mist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mist. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mist

1 of 2 noun
1
: water in the form of particles floating in the air or falling as fine rain
2
: something that keeps one from seeing or understanding clearly

mist

2 of 2 verb
1
: to be or become misty
2
: to become dim or blurred
3
: to cover with a mist

More from Merriam-Webster on mist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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