# scouring

/ˈskaʊɝɪŋ/ (US) · /skˈaʊəɹɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scouring
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the act of cleaning something very thoroughly, often using a hard brush or a rough cloth. It can also mean a very difficult or painful experience.

For teachers: the act of cleaning or rubbing something vigorously to remove dirt or stains; alternatively, a severe or exhaustive examination. Often used in the context of historical or literary descriptions of harsh labor.

## Examples

- The scouring of the silver plates took several hours.
- The historian spent years scouring old archives to find the original documents regarding the treaty.
- The relentless scouring of the coastline by the winter storms left the once-pristine beach littered with debris and eroded rock.

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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.