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)
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
The collection offers an elevated take on uniform dressing, with sophisticated essentials that feel fresh, modern and effortless.
—
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
In the realm of wedding guest dressing, this translates into lingerie dresses, velvet fabrics, column silhouettes, and babydoll styles.
—Tatiana Ojea, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Shbecyde Oversized Polo Sweatshirt One of my favorites on the list, this oversized polo sweatshirt brings preppy polish to casual dressing.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Trans-seasonal dressing at its finest.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dressing
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Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
In the realm of wedding guest dressing, this translates into lingerie dresses, velvet fabrics, column silhouettes, and babydoll styles.
—Tatiana Ojea, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Shbecyde Oversized Polo Sweatshirt One of my favorites on the list, this oversized polo sweatshirt brings preppy polish to casual dressing.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Trans-seasonal dressing at its finest.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dressing
Cite this Entry
“Dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dressing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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