tub

[tuhb]

noun

1. a bathtub.

2. a broad, round, open, wooden container, usually made of staves held together by hoops and fitted around a flat bottom.

3. any of various containers resembling or suggesting a tub.

   a tub for washing clothes.

4. the amount a tub will hold.

5. Informal.,  a short and fat person.

6. Nautical.,  an old, slow, or clumsy vessel.

7. British Informal.,  a bath in a bathtub.

8. Mining.,  an ore car; tram.

9. Military Slang.,  a two-seat aircraft, especially a trainer.

verb (used with object)

tubbed, tubbing 

1. to place or keep in a tub.

2. British Informal.,  to bathe in a bathtub.

verb (used without object)

tubbed, tubbing 

1. British Informal.,  to bathe oneself in a bathtub.

2. Informal.,  to undergo washing, especially without damage, as a fabric.

   This cotton print tubs well.

tub

/ tʌb /

noun

1. a low wide open container, typically round, originally one made of wood and used esp for washing: now made of wood, plastic, metal, etc, and used in a variety of domestic and industrial situations

2. a small plastic or cardboard container of similar shape for ice cream, margarine, etc

3. Also called: bathtub. another word (esp US and Canadian) for bath 1

4. Also called: tubful. the amount a tub will hold

5. a clumsy slow boat or ship

6. informal,  (in rowing) a heavy wide boat used for training novice oarsmen

7. Also called: tram.  hutch. 

   1. a small vehicle on rails for carrying loads in a mine

   2. a container for lifting coal or ore up a mine shaft; skip

verb

1. informal,  to wash (oneself or another) in a tub

2. (tr) to keep or put in a tub

Other Word Forms

• tubbable adjective
• tubber noun
• tublike adjective
• undertub noun
• untubbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tub¹

1350–1400; Middle English tubbe (noun) < Middle Dutch tobbe; cognate with Middle Low German tubbe, tobbe

Word History and Origins

Origin of tub¹

C14: from Middle Dutch tubbe

Example Sentences

Known for being a bargain stop for cosmetics and beauty products, including big tubs of popular moisturisers and conditioners displayed on floor-to-ceiling shelves, the firm has about 1,500 employees.

From BBC

They, along with visitors, pay membership fees that provide on-site access and amenities that included a hot tub, sauna, steam room, a pool, a restaurant and more.

From Los Angeles Times

While the pool area with its hot tub, sauna and thoughtful landscaping is pure desert luxury, the rest of the hotel consists of 65 rectangular-shaped, free-standing rooms laid out in neat rows.

From Los Angeles Times

The suites themselves are spacious, with separate living and sleeping areas, a large bathroom with a soaking or whirlpool tub, and comfortable beds.

From Salon

"I would close my eyes at night and see huge red tubs filled with body parts. I had insomnia. I wasn't sleeping."

From BBC