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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
Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
After six weeks of daily use, there were no signs of wear and tear.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 2 Nov. 2024
Types of Passport Damage There are two main types of passport damage — normal wear and tear and genuine damage — but the line between them can be blurred, and the final judgment call comes down to the individual examining your passport, whether that’s an airline employee or an immigration officer.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2024
As time goes on, wear and tear will fit right in and only add to the appeal.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1666, in the meaning defined above
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 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
wear and tear
noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use
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