1 ~ (sth) (for sth) to remove mud, stones, etc. from the bottom of a river, canal, etc. using a boat or special machine, to make it deeper or to search for sth:
[VN] They're dredging the harbour so that larger ships can use it. * They dredge the bay for gravel. [also V]
2 ~ sth (up) (from sth) to bring sth up from the bottom of a river, etc. using a boat or special machine:
[VN] waste dredged (up) from the sea bed
3 [VN] ~ (in / with) to cover food lightly with sugar, flour, etc:
Dredge the top of the cake with icing sugar.
PHRASALVERBS
dredge sth<->up
1 (usually disapproving) to mention sth that has been forgotten, especially sth unpleasant or embarrassing:
The papers keep trying to dredge up details of his past love life.
2 to manage to remember sth, especially sth that happened a long time ago:
Now she was dredging up memories from the depths of her mind.
