handwashing

See also: hand washing and hand-washing

English

Alternative forms

• hand washing, hand-washing

Etymology 1

From hand +‎ washing.

Noun

handwashing (countable and uncountable, plural handwashings)

1. Washing of one's hands.

   (an instance of this): Synonym: hand wash

   • 2009 February 7, Judy Steed, “Devices that let ability shine through”, in Toronto Star‎^[1]:

     The mirror comes alive with images, guiding you through the steps of handwashing: turn on the taps, lather your hands with soap, rinse your hands, turn off the taps, dry your hands.

   • 2020 October 9, Linda Geddes, “Non-Covid infectious disease cases down in England, data suggests”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     The benefits of increased hygiene as a result of Covid-19 could stretch even further ahead. Most schools are insisting on regular hand washing, and are encouraging children to rub soap into their hands for 20 seconds or more, before rinsing it off.

Translations

washing of one's hands

• German: Händewaschen (de) n
• Hungarian: kézmosás (hu)
• Italian: maniluvio m
• Japanese: 手洗い (ja) (てあらい, tearai)
• Old English: handþwēal n
• Polish: mycie rąk n
• Russian: мытьё рук n (mytʹjó ruk)
• Ukrainian: миття́ рук n (myttjá ruk)
• Vietnamese: sự rửa tay

Etymology 2

From handwash +‎ -ing.

Verb

handwashing

1. present participle and gerund of handwash