swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
swaddled; swaddling
ˈswäd-liŋ,
ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce swaddle (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes
b
: envelop, swathe
legs swaddled in bandages
2
: restrain, restrict
marriage … swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loatheNina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.
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.
There, the couple swaddled their son in the Ivory White Leaves and Flowers Baby Shawl from G.H. Hurt & Son. Janine Henni, People.com, 4 June 2025 Here, a buttery shortbread base and shortbread crumble swaddle a fruit filling studded with nuts. Tanya Sichynsky, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Every community has its informal imports, lovingly swaddled in socks and ziplocks, and made to last until the next trip to the motherland. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 In one photo with Hailey, 28, and Jack, the doting dad appeared to make sure the face of his newborn boy, who was swaddled in a lime green onesie, wasn't visible. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swaddle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of swaddle was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swaddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swaddle. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

swaddle

verb
swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on swaddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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