launder

1 of 2

verb

laun·​der ˈlȯn-dər How to pronounce launder (audio)
ˈlän-
laundered; laundering ˈlȯn-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce launder (audio)
ˈlän-
Synonyms of laundernext

transitive verb

1
: to wash (something, such as clothing) in water
2
: to make ready for use by washing and ironing
a freshly laundered shirt
3
: to transfer (illegally obtained money or investments) through an outside party to conceal the true source
4
: sanitize sense 2
laundered language

intransitive verb

: to wash or wash and iron clothing or household linens
launderer
ˈlȯn-dər-ər How to pronounce launder (audio)
ˈlän-
noun

launder

2 of 2

noun

: trough
especially : a box conduit conveying particulate material suspended in water in ore dressing

Synonyms of launder

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of launder in a Sentence

Verb He used a phony business to launder money from drug dealing. had to launder the quarterback's off-the-cuff's remarks before they could be quoted in the newspaper
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.
Verb
But prosecutors say just a small portion of the federal money went toward feeding kids, with the rest laundered through shell companies and spent on property, luxury cars and travel. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 The core allegation is that Beasley and others orchestrated a scheme to influence NBA games by bribery and used non-public information to further bets and then launder the proceeds. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026
Noun
Who launders all of this drug money? — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025 This is also a great time to ask their preferences on a midweek linen restock or launder. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for launder

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English launder, noun

Noun

Middle English, launderer, from Anglo-French lavandere, from Medieval Latin lavandarius, from Latin lavandus, gerundive of lavare to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of launder was in 1664

Rhymes for launder

See All Rhymes for launder

Browse Nearby Words

laund
launder
launderability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Launder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

launder

verb
laun·​der
ˈlȯn-dər, 
ˈlän-
laundered; laundering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to wash or wash and iron clothing or household linens
2
: to undergo washing and ironing
launderer
-dər-ər
noun

Legal Definition

launder

transitive verb
laun·​der
: to transfer (money or instruments deriving from illegal activity) so as to conceal the true nature and source
launder money through an offshore account

More from Merriam-Webster on launder

Nglish: Translation of launder for Spanish Speakers

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