shaving

1 of 2

noun

shav·​ing ˈshā-viŋ How to pronounce shaving (audio)
Synonyms of shavingnext
1
: the act of one that shaves
2
: something shaved off
wood shavings

shaving

2 of 2

present participle of shave entry 1

Examples of shaving in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The majority of the factory had been converted during the late war years to manufacture the ersatz coffee, made of roasted grain, sugar beet shavings, and chicory, which was drunk by the American POWs and ordinary Dresdeners as well. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 To help conserve water resources, neighboring residents and visitors are asked to limit their showers to five minutes or less, turn off faucets when shaving or brushing teeth, flush toilets selectively and only wash laundry in full loads. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The bakery piles the ice shavings into a nearly impossibly tall vertical cone, soaked with a syrup in a variety of fruit flavors, including Tiger’s Blood, a mixture of strawberry, watermelon and a dash of coconut. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Jhin says doctors can remove them by shaving, scraping, freezing or cauterizing them. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaving

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaving was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing shaving

Rhymes for shaving

See All Rhymes for shaving

Browse Nearby Words

shavie
shaving
shaving board
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Cite this Entry

“Shaving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaving. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shaving

noun
shav·​ing
ˈshā-viŋ
1
: the act of one that shaves
2
: something shaved off
wood shavings

More from Merriam-Webster on shaving

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shaving

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shaving

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