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
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.
On top of that, separate weekly and monthly inspections are done to check for various things, including wear and tear. Eve Chen, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 There is some wear and tear on the tires, no doubt. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025 For leaders already operating under immense pressure, this accelerates their biological wear and tear, reduces resilience, increases the risk of burnout, and undermines the very stamina required to sustain their influence at the top. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 According to Higgins, antioxidants in apples protect your blood vessels from everyday wear and tear caused by unstable molecules in the body. Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wear and tear

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

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

Cite this Entry

“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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