noun
    
    plural -washes
    
    [noncount] :a white liquid mixture used for making surfaces (such as walls or fences) whiter
    
    [count] disapproving :a planned effort to hide a dishonest, immoral, or illegal act or situation :cover-up
    
    usually singular
    
    
    
    [count] chiefly Brit :a defeat in a game or contest in which the loser does not score any points
    
    
    
    verb
    
    -washes; -washed; -washing
    
    [+ obj] to make (something) whiter by painting it with whitewash
    
    
    
    
    
    to prevent people from learning the truth about (something bad, such as a dishonest, immoral, or illegal act or situation)
    
    
    
    chiefly Brit :to defeat (an opponent) easily by winning every game, point, etc.