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wear and tear
noun
: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially
: normal depreciation
Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence
my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
Recent Examples on the Web
And toys with nicks, dents, and signs of wear and tear should be priced under $10.
—Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 16 May 2024
And years of wear and tear on the building and grounds led to a cycle of closures and re-openings.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024
This can be caused by environmental factors such as sunlight or wear and tear from mechanical action.
—Mohan Qin, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2024
A lot to teams have moved toward that because of the wear and tear that comes from this league.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wear and tear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wear and tear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1666, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near wear and tear
Cite this Entry
“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
wear and tear
noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use
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