Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense launders, present participle laundering, past tense, past participle laundered
1. verb
When you launder clothes, sheets, and towels, you wash and iron them.
[old-fashioned]
How many guests who expect clean towels every day in an hotel launder their own everyday at home? [VERB noun]
She wore a freshly laundered and starched white shirt. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: wash, clean, dry-clean, tub More Synonyms of launder
2. verb
To launder money that has been obtained illegally means to process it through a legitimate business or to send it abroad to a foreign bank, so that when it comes back nobody knows that it was illegally obtained.
The House voted today to crack down on banks that launder drug money. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: process, doctor, manipulate More Synonyms of launder
...a businessman and self-described money launderer.
launder in British English
(ˈlɔːndə)
verb
1.
to wash, sometimes starch, and often also iron (clothes, linen, etc)
2. (intransitive)
to be capable of being laundered without shrinking, fading, etc
3. (transitive)
to process (something acquired illegally) to make it appear respectable, esp to process illegally acquired funds through a legitimate business or to send them to a foreign bank for subsequent transfer to a home bank
noun
4.
a water trough, esp one used for washing ore in mining
Derived forms
launderer (ˈlaunderer)
noun
Word origin
C14 (n, meaning: a person who washes linen): changed from lavender washerwoman, from Old French lavandiere, ultimately from Latin lavāre to wash
launder in American English
(ˈlɔndər)
noun
1.
a water trough, esp. one used in mining for washing dirt from the ore
verb transitive
2.
to wash, or wash and iron (clothes, etc.)
3.
to exchange or invest (money) in such a way as to conceal that it came from an illegal or improper source
4.
to make (something improper or offensive) seem less so
verb intransitive
5.
to withstand washing
a fabric that launders well
6.
to do laundry
Derived forms
launderer (ˈlaunderer)
noun
laundering (ˈlaundering)
noun
Word origin
ME, contr. < lavender, washerwoman < OFr lavandier < ML lavandarius < LL lavandaria, things to be washed < L lavandus, ger. of L lavare, to wash: see lave1
Examples of 'launder' in a sentence
launder
His freshly laundered towels were placed in a cubicle for his royal tour.
The Sun (2017)
Some police forces reported that businesses were being set up to launder cash.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He also laundered the dirty money by investing in car washes and restaurants and by buying flash cars.
The Sun (2016)
The aim is to ensure the new accounts cannot be used for the purposes of fraud and money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Next, it was time for a spot of money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They also deny money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
So we do not see a gap in the UK regime for detecting money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The money is commonly laundered via cash deposits to friends or family members' bank accounts and is quickly withdrawn to be paid to the gang leaders.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But these were used as a front to launder profits that stunned detectives.
The Sun (2006)
The city is also well established as a hub for international money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The branch manager said it was necessary because of money laundering regulations.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They laundered cash through car dealers and contacts.
The Sun (2007)
There is a bed linen laundering and a cleaning service.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He denies two charges of money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The feeling of freshly laundered sheets came top.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Dubai also is alleged to be home to banks that laundered money for the attackers.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Really makes you see the appeal of money laundering.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
One arrest on suspicion of laundering cash from transfers is expected to be followed by more.
The Sun (2007)
Charges of money laundering and illegal business activity were also being examined.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The good news is that in this country the money laundering regulations are some of the toughest and best in the world.
The Sun (2016)
You always have a supply of clean underwear, freshly laundered in a drawer.
The Sun (2010)
He is highly experienced in defending fraud, money laundering and financial regulation cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The two others charged with money laundering in London jumped bail.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They can't launder your clothes, or make you feel better when you are ill.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His clothes, both laundered and soiled, lay about in the room.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
Up to 11million of the gang's profits were laundered by crooked staff at a bureau de change.
The Sun (2010)
TWO dopey crooks were snared after trying to launder PINK bank notes at betting shops.
The Sun (2010)
Chinese translation of 'launder'
launder
(ˈlɔːndəʳ)
vt
(o.f.)[clothes, sheets]洗熨 (xǐyùn)
(fig)[money]洗 (xǐ)
⇒ banks that launder drug money洗毒品赃款的银行 (xǐ dúpǐn zāngkuǎn de yínháng)
Nearby words of
launder
laughter
launch
launch into
launder
Launderette
laundry
laundry detergent
1 (verb)
Definition
to wash and iron (clothes and linen)
She wore a freshly laundered and starched white shirt.
Synonyms
wash
The colours will fade a little each time you wash the shirt.
clean
Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin.
It took half an hour to clean the orange powder off the bath.
dry-clean
tub
wash and iron
wash and press
2 (verb)
Definition
to make (money illegally obtained) appear to be legally gained by passing it through foreign banks or legitimate enterprises
The House voted today to crack down on banks that launder money.
Synonyms
process
doctor
manipulate
The government manipulated the figures.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clean
Definition
to make or become free of dirt
Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin.It took half an hour to clean the orange powder off the bath.
Synonyms
cleanse,
wash,
bath,
sweep,
dust,
wipe,
vacuum,
scrub,
sponge,
rinse,
mop,
launder,
scour,
purify,
do up,
swab,
disinfect,
lave,
deodorize,
sanitize,
deep clean
in the sense of manipulate
Definition
to control something or someone cleverly or deviously