sheath

noun

plural sheaths ˈshēt͟hz How to pronounce sheath (audio) ˈshēths How to pronounce sheath (audio)
1
: a case for a blade (as of a knife)
2
: an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body or body part: such as
a
: the tubular fold of skin into which the penis of many mammals is retracted
b(1)
: the lower part of a leaf when surrounding the stem
(2)
: an ensheathing spathe
3
: any of various covering or supporting structures that resemble in appearance or function the sheath of a blade: such as
b
: a woman's close-fitting dress that is usually worn without a belt
c
British : condom sense 1

Examples of sheath in a Sentence

the sheath of a sword a piece of wire covered with a plastic sheath
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has bravely taken one of its most unique folding knife designs and adapted it into a sleek, compact axe that packs safely without a sheath and flips into full-on chopping mode in milliseconds. New Atlas, 27 Feb. 2025 Amid the investigation, trace amounts of DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene of the 2022 murders in Moscow, Idaho, did not show up in law enforcement CODIS databases. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025 Sheath Like the sheath of a sword, sheath dresses are form-fitting on all body parts but still leave enough room for comfort and movement. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Related Articles Found pieces of Indian tribal jewelry were assembled to create the metallic sheath, which took more than 200 hours to make. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheath

Word History

Etymology

Middle English shethe, going back to Old English scǣþ, scēaþ (Northumbrian sceǣþ), scēþ, going back to Germanic *skaiþjō or *skaiþō (whence also Old Frisian skēthe "sheath," Old Saxon skēdia, skēthia, Old High German skeida, Old Icelandic skeiðir, plural), probably noun derivative of *skaiđan-/skaiþan- "to separate, divide" — more at shed entry 1

Note: The original meaning of the Germanic noun was presumably "something split, separated," i.e., two pieces that are split (literally or metaphorically) and that together held the blade; note that the Old Norse noun was plural (the singular skeið meant "weaver's reed, silver spoon").

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheath was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheath. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sheath

noun
plural sheaths ˈshēt͟hz How to pronounce sheath (audio)
ˈshēths
1
: a case for a blade (as of a knife)
2
: a covering especially of a body part that is like a sheath in form or use

Medical Definition

sheath

noun
plural sheaths ˈshēt͟hz How to pronounce sheath (audio) ˈshēths How to pronounce sheath (audio)
1
: an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body or body part: as
a
: the tubular fold of skin into which the penis of many mammals is retracted
b
: the connective tissue of an organ or part that binds together its component elements and holds it in place
2
sheathed adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sheath

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