1 [count] : an act of cleaning something by using water and soap : an act of washing something — usually singular ▪ My car needs a wash. [=needs to be washed] ▪ (Brit) I'll have a quick wash [=(US) I'll wash up] before dinner. 2 [singular] : a group of clothes, towels, sheets, etc., that are being washed or that are going to be washed : laundry
▪ My jeans are in the wash. ▪ (Brit) I'll put a wash on [=I'll put laundry in the washing machine] when I get home. 3 [singular] : the movement of water
▪ We could hear the wash of the waves against the rocks. ; especially : the waves made in the water after a moving boat passes by
▪ The wash from speedboats is dangerous for swimmers. 4 [count] : a thin layer of paint
▪ a thin wash of white paint — see also whitewash 5 [count] a : a liquid used for cleaning
▪ They used a chemical wash to clean the bricks. — see also mouthwash
b : a soap or lotion for the skin
▪ an antibacterial skin wash 6 [singular] US, informal : a situation in which losses and gains balance each other
▪ You won the first game and I won the second, so it's a wash. [=we are even] ▪ The price is less online than at the store, but once you add shipping costs, it's a wash. [=the two prices are about the same]