dry cleaning

noun

the act of cleaning (fabrics) with a solvent other than water

• Derivationally related forms: ↑dry clean

• Hypernyms: ↑cleaning, ↑cleansing, ↑cleanup

* * *

noun

: the cleansing of fabrics with substantially nonaqueous organic solvents (as petroleum naphtha or chlorinated hydrocarbons) to which special detergents or soaps are often added — compare wet cleaning

* * *

—dry-cleaning, adj.

1. the cleaning of garments, fabrics, draperies, etc., with any of various chemicals rather than water.

2. garments for cleaning in this way.

[1810-20]

* * *

dry cleaning,

1. the cleaning of cloth with little or no water, using liquids such as naphtha or benzine.

2. clothes or other articles that have been dry-cleaned: »

to pick up some dry cleaning.

* * *

noun [noncount]

1 : the process of cleaning cloth with special chemicals instead of water

Dry cleaning is recommended.

a dry-cleaning shop [=a shop that does dry cleaning]

2 : clothing or cloth items that have been dry-cleaned

I can pick up the dry cleaning on my way home.