paintbrush

noun

paint·​brush ˈpānt-ˌbrəsh How to pronounce paintbrush (audio)
1
: a brush for applying paint
2
a
: indian paintbrush sense 1
b
: orange hawkweed

Examples of paintbrush 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.
In landfills, synthetic bristles on paintbrushes can take hundreds of years to degrade, while their plastic handles take up to a thousand years, Silverman said. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Some don't seem tied to the obvious icon meanings to me, such as a paintbrush for adding photos to the active composer, or a party popper shooting confetti as the icon for opening a side chat. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 She was seen reaching into a pink pot with her paintbrush to add some more color to her work of art. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 Unlike a felt-tip pen, which delivers a relatively consistent line, a brush liner behaves more like a tiny paintbrush. — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paintbrush

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paintbrush was in 1815

Phrases Containing paintbrush

Rhymes for paintbrush

See All Rhymes for paintbrush

Browse Nearby Words

paint bridge
paintbrush
paint/draw a picture of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paintbrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paintbrush. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paintbrush

noun
paint·​brush ˈpānt-ˌbrəsh How to pronounce paintbrush (audio)
1
: a brush for applying paint
2
a
: indian paintbrush sense 1
b
: orange hawkweed

More from Merriam-Webster on paintbrush

Nglish: Translation of paintbrush for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paintbrush

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