1
a
: a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often especially in Eastern countries for the face
specifically
: the outer covering of a nun's headdress
b
: a length of veiling or netting worn over the head or face or attached for protection or ornament to a hat or headdress
a bridal veil
c
: any of various liturgical cloths
especially
: a cloth used to cover the chalice
2
: the life of a nun
—often used in the phrase take the veil
3
: a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
4
: something that resembles a veil
a veil of stars
especially
: something that hides or obscures like a veil
lift the veil of secrecy
veiled; veiling; veils
: to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil
: to put on or wear a veil
Examples of veil in a Sentence
Noun
Veils of moss draped the trees.
under the veil of descending darkness the thieves began their operation
Verb
Her eyes were partially veiled by her long, dark hair.
The sun was veiled by clouds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Patti Newton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The ceiling is inspired by shed structures derived from industrial architecture and veils hide the hangers along the walls, emphasizing the sense of lightness with garments that seem to float.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
IEEE Spectrum, 16 Sep. 2025
On Monday night, the Houston Texans marked a moment of silence for victims of violence without naming Kirk by name, while the Las Vegas Raiders made no reference, veiled or otherwise, to the assassination.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for veil
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Noun
My 8-year-old big sister, Lisa, clothed in her first communion dress and veil, her treasured rosary draped in her hands, lay motionless and cold amid the white silken lining, her head upon a white satin pillow.
—Patti Newton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The ceiling is inspired by shed structures derived from industrial architecture and veils hide the hangers along the walls, emphasizing the sense of lightness with garments that seem to float.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, the famous skies were veiled by a freak sandstorm from the Sahara.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Sep. 2025
On Monday night, the Houston Texans marked a moment of silence for victims of violence without naming Kirk by name, while the Las Vegas Raiders made no reference, veiled or otherwise, to the assassination.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for veil
Cite this Entry
“Veil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veil. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
veil
1 of 2 noun1
: a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
2
: something that covers or hides like a veil
lift the veil of secrecy
veil
2 of 2 verb
: to cover with or as if with a veil
Medical Definition
veil
noun
: a covering body part or membrane
especially
: caul sense 2
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