To make something thoroughly clean or free from dirt, impurities, or harmful substances. She used a special solution to cleanse the wound before applying a bandage.
To rid a person, place, or thing of something unpleasant or unwanted. The community held a ceremony to cleanse the area of negative energy.
To free someone from guilt or sin, often in a religious or spiritual context. The priest offered a prayer to cleanse the congregation of their sins.