wear and tear

noun

: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially : normal depreciation

Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence

my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
Recent Examples on the Web Plus, these boots are down to get dirty and can withstand lots of wear and tear. Jessie Quinn, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Not Everything Should Go in the Dryer Electric dryers are a convenient and efficient way to dry clothes and household linens, but drying creates a lot of wear and tear, thanks to exposure to high heat and agitation. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024 The condition has been linked to a host of health problems, primarily wear and tear on the cardiovascular system, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart failure and heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 They are also used in osteoarthritis (joint pain and stiffness that comes on with age and wear and tear) for extra pain relief. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wear and tear 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wear and tear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear and tear was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near wear and tear

Cite this Entry

“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wear and tear

noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use

More from Merriam-Webster on wear and tear

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