swaddle

verb

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

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 loathe …Nina 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.
The narrowness of the land means that the resort is swaddled between two beaches—Playa Blanca and Playa Virador—setting it apart from other nearby hotels. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026 That sensation is thought to promote a feeling of calm and relaxation by encouraging the nervous system to shift into a more restful state, similar to the comfort of being hugged or swaddled. Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026 The night the baby died, her mother appropriately swaddled her, and Malone put her in the bassinet, according to the investigation, per Fox 19. Staff Author, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 Rihanna broke the news in a sweet Instagram post, sharing an image of herself holding the infant, who is swaddled in a pink blanket. Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 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 21 May. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster