launder
|laun-der|
🇺🇸
/ˈlɔːndər/
🇬🇧
/ˈlɔːndə/
cleaning clothes
Etymology
'launder' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'lavandier' (a washer), ultimately from Latin 'lavare' meaning 'to wash'.
'launder' changed from Old French 'lavandier' and Anglo-Norman forms into Middle English (e.g. 'laundren') and eventually became the modern English word 'launder'.
Initially, it meant 'to wash (clothes)'; over time it retained that meaning but also developed a figurative sense 'to conceal the origin of money', now common in financial/legal contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form: 'laundering' — the act or process of washing clothes (this is a transformed form of the base verb).
Laundering takes place twice a week at the hotel.
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Noun 2
noun form: 'laundering' — the process of making illegally obtained money appear legal (this is a transformed form of the base verb).
Money laundering is a serious financial crime.
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Verb 1
to wash clothes, linens, etc.; to clean by washing.
They launder the sheets every week.
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Verb 2
to process (funds or other items) in order to hide their illegal origin; to make illegally obtained money appear legal (often used with 'money').
Criminal groups launder money through shell companies.
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Last updated: 2025/08/12 21:09