DictionarydressWound care
verb

dress

To clean and cover a wound.

The nurse dresses the wound with a clean bandage.

Etymology

The older verb means to arrange or prepare. Dressing a wound puts it into a treated condition by cleaning it and applying appropriate coverings.

More examples

  • She cleans and dresses the cut on his hand.
  • The wound was dressed again after the examination.
  • He learns to dress the injury without pulling at the damaged skin.

Forms

dress · dresses · dressed · dressing

Similar words

bandage
Specifically means applying a protective covering.
treat
Treat provides care broadly; dress specifically cleans and applies a protective covering to a wound.