sandblast

sandblast — noun

1. a concentrated stream of sand particles forced through a nozzle by compressed ai

1.nounC1
Definition

a concentrated stream of sand particles forced through a nozzle by compressed air, used for smoothing, cutting through, or carving patterns on hard surfaces such as glass, stone, or metal.

Example

The artist used a sandblast to carve a delicate floral pattern into the church window.

usually singular; 'used a sandblast to [verb]'

Before painting the old wall, the workers used a sandblast to remove years of grime.

Common collocations
  • use a sandblast
  • apply a sandblast
  • with a sandblast
  • by sandblast
Synonyms
  • sand jet

    more technical, emphasising the physical stream rather than the process

  • abrasive blast

    broader term that includes other materials such as baking soda or crushed glass

Usage Note

The term can refer either to the jet of sand itself or to the machine that produces it. The singular form is much more common than the plural.

sandblast — verb

Word family

  • sandblaster
    nounC1
  • sandblasting
    nounC1
  • sandblasting
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Sandblast, abrade, grit-blast, and etch all describe the removal or marking of a surface, but they differ in method and scope. Sandblast is the most specific: it always involves a high-pressure jet of sand from a machine. Abrade is a broader, more formal term for wearing away a surface by friction — it can happen naturally (wind abrading rock) or mechanically, and does not require sand. Grit-blast is nearly synonymous with sandblast but uses other abrasives such as glass beads or aluminium oxide instead of sand. Etch refers to creating a pattern by eating into a surface, usually with acid or a sharp tool; etching with sand is technically sandblasting rather than true etching. For everyday use: 'The workers sandblasted the graffiti off the wall' is correct and concrete, while 'They abraded the surface' would sound overly technical. If a machine uses crushed walnut shells instead of sand, 'grit-blast' is the better choice.

sandblast ↗abradegrit-blastetch

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • sandblast clean
  • sandblast smooth
  • sandblast to a finish

Prepositions

Etymology

Englishsand + blast

The word sandblast was formed by combining 'sand' (tiny grains of rock or mineral) with 'blast' (a strong rush of air or wind). It first appeared in the late 1800s, shortly after the invention of the sandblasting machine by Benjamin Tilghman in 1870. The term originally described the jet of sand itself and later extended to the process of using such a jet.