scouring Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun moving over territory to search for something
   
   • scouring the entire area revealed nothing
2. noun the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water
   scrub; scrubbing.
   
3. verb examine minutely
   scour.
   
   • The police scoured the country for the fugitive
4. verb clean with hard rubbing
   scrub; scour.
   
   • She scrubbed his back
5. verb rub hard or scrub
   scour; abrade.
   
   • scour the counter tops
6. verb rinse, clean, or empty with a liquid
   purge; scour; flush.
   
   • flush the wound with antibiotics
   • purge the old gas tank

WordNet