Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » dredge

dredge

Listen See in a sentence

The definition of dredge is something that can dig or scoop things at the bottom of a body of water.

(noun)

An example of a dredge is a net that scoops scallops out of a bay.
An example of a dredge is a machine that removes sand from a lake bottom.

To dredge is defined as to search for or clear out something by digging.

(verb)

An example of dredge is to look in a river for a lost car at the bottom.
An example of dredge is to dig sand up from a lake to make a channel for boats.

In cooking, to dredge is defined as coating something with a dry ingredient.

(verb)

An example of dredge is to coat it with flour.

See dredge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a device consisting of a net attached to a frame, dragged along the bottom of a river, bay, etc. to gather shellfish, marine plant specimens, etc.
an apparatus for scooping or sucking up mud, sand, rocks, etc., as in deepening or clearing channels, harbors, etc.
a barge or other boat equipped with a dredge

Origin: prob. < MDu dregge, akin to drag

transitive verb dredged, dredging

to search for or gather (up) with or as with a dredge
to enlarge or clean out (a river channel, harbor, etc.) with a dredge

intransitive verb

to use a dredge
to search as with a dredge

Related Forms:

dredger noun

transitive verb dredged, dredging

to coat (food) with flour or the like, as by sprinkling
to sprinkle (flour, etc.)

Origin: < ME dragge, sweetmeat < OFr dragie < ML dragium, earlier dragetum < L tragemata < Gr tragēmata, pl. of tragēma, dried fruit, dessert < trōgein, to gnaw < IE *trog- < base *ter-, to rub: see throw

Related Forms:

dredger noun

See dredge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various machines equipped with scooping or suction devices and used to deepen harbors and waterways and in underwater mining.
Nautical A boat or barge equipped with a dredge.
An implement consisting of a net on a frame, used for gathering shellfish.

verb dredged dredged, dredg·ing, dredg·es

verb, transitive