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verb

launder

LAWN-duh

Launder (verb) means to wash and often iron clothes or fabric. Example: “The hotel launders the guests' sheets and towels every day.”

verb
1
To wash and often iron clothes or fabric.
"The hotel launders the guests' sheets and towels every day."
2
To disguise the illegal origin of money by passing it through legitimate businesses or transactions.
"The gang used a chain of car washes to launder their drug profits."

How to use launder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo wash clothes, or — in a very different, criminal sense — to make illegally-earned money look clean and legitimate.

Common pairings
launder money launder clothes money laundering

Word forms

laundered past tense, launders plural, launders singular

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Test yourself on “launder” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The hotel _____ the guests' sheets and towels every day.

Etymology

Shortened from Middle English lavender ("washerwoman"), from Old French lavandiere, ultimately from Latin lavo, "to wash."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for launder

See all rhymes for launder →

Frequently asked questions

What does “launder” mean?

The word “launder” means to wash and often iron clothes or fabric. In plain terms, to wash clothes, or — in a very different, criminal sense — to make illegally-earned money look clean and legitimate.

How do you pronounce “launder”?

“Launder” is pronounced LAWN-duh (/ˈlɔndɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “launder” in a sentence?

Here is “launder” used in a sentence: “The hotel launders the guests' sheets and towels every day.”

What part of speech is “launder”?

“Launder” is a verb.

Where does the word “launder” come from?

The word “launder” comes from Latin. Shortened from Middle English lavender ("washerwoman"), from Old French lavandiere, ultimately from Latin lavo, "to wash.".

How many meanings does “launder” have?

“Launder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to wash and often iron clothes or fabric.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial