# gauze

/ˈɡɔz/ (US) · /ɡˈɔːz/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gauze
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a thin, soft cloth that is used in medicine to cover wounds or to help people breathe. It is also used in cooking to make a sauce smooth.

For teachers: a thin, loosely woven fabric made of cotton or synthetic fibers, used primarily in medical contexts for dressings or surgical purposes. In a culinary context, it refers to a fine mesh used to strain liquids.

## Examples

- The nurse cleaned the wound with clean gauze.
- After the surgery, the patient was instructed to change the gauze dressing twice a day to prevent infection.
- The surgeon carefully placed a sterile gauze pad over the incision site to absorb any initial bleeding while monitoring for signs of excessive inflammation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.