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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- launders
- Third person singular
- launders
- Past tense
- laundered
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."
Synonyms
View more →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.
