diaper

1 of 2

noun

di·​a·​per ˈdī-pər How to pronounce diaper (audio)
also
ˈdī-ə- How to pronounce diaper (audio)
1
: a fabric with a distinctive pattern:
a
: a rich silk fabric
b
: a soft usually white linen or cotton fabric used for tablecloths or towels
2
: an allover pattern consisting of one or more small repeated units of design (such as geometric figures) connecting with one another or growing out of one another with continuously flowing or straight lines
3
: a basic garment for infants consisting of a folded cloth or other absorbent material drawn up between the legs and fastened about the waist
also : a similar garment especially for incontinent adults

Illustration of diaper

Illustration of diaper
  • diaper 2

diaper

2 of 2

verb

diapered; diapering ˈdī-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce diaper (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to ornament with diaper designs
2
: to put on or change the diaper of (an infant)

Examples of diaper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Since Sunday, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and France have dropped tons of prepared meals, diapers and other essential supplies. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 The product mix includes nutritional supplements like Boost and Ensure, incontinence supplies, adult wipes and diapers and pads, respiratory care items like nebulizer kits and masks, mobility supplies like walkers, wound care merchandise, and medication management and monitors. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 Stash your work essentials in them for your commute, safeguard your medicines and fragile finds during flights, or even pack up bottles, pacifiers, and more for a trendy diaper bag. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 In the free one-day workshops, men practice how to change diapers and how to style hair on dolls and mannequins. Christina Noriega, NPR, 23 Feb. 2024 After all, there was a day not too long ago when the diaper bag was an eyesore. Cassie Shortsleeve, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024 They have been forced to wear diapers because of not being granted bathroom breaks. Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests changing diapers frequently, gently cleansing the skin at each diaper change, and choosing absorbent diapers that keep the skin dry. Sarah Bradley, Parents, 13 Feb. 2024 Diaper rash cream creates a protective barrier between your baby's bottom and irritants in their diaper. Brienne Walsh, Parents, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
From laundry detergents to diaper pail deodorizers, Arm & Hammer Baby is committed to ensuring that only the highest quality ingredients are used. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2023 The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates all types of clothing and accessories for parents and parents-to-be, from maternity leggings, maternity jeans and maternity workout clothes to nursing bras to diaper bags and more. Good Housekeeping, 2 Mar. 2023 HealthySteps specialists, often social workers, accompany families with children below 3 on their pediatric visits, monitoring and supporting the babies' development and helping with everything from counselor referrals to diaper drop-offs. USA Today, 9 June 2022 This person should have your full authority to wipe the noses of users and diaper the salespeople when needed. Gene Marks, Forbes, 7 June 2021 Families spend $75 a month to diaper one child, or 8% of a full-time minimum wage salary, and prices are expected to go up. Jennifer Randles, Time, 6 May 2021 And among the Black fathers who do live with their children, a higher percentage of them bathe, dress or diaper their kids compared with White dads, the study found. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2020 The baby shower host had trivia games (guessing lines from popular children's books) and activities for the soon-to-be parents (diapering a doll blindfolded). Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 19 May 2020 The more intense care required at this age — diapering, bottle feeding — also can’t be done without almost continual close contact and requires more adults per child, increasing the inherent risk. Marshall Allen, ProPublica, 23 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diaper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English diapre, from Anglo-French diaspre, from Medieval Latin diasprum

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near diaper

Cite this Entry

“Diaper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaper. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diaper

1 of 2 noun
di·​a·​per ˈdī-(ə-)pər How to pronounce diaper (audio)
1
: a usually white linen or cotton fabric woven in a pattern formed by the repetition of a simple design
also : the design on such cloth
2
: a garment for infants consisting of a piece of absorbent material drawn up between the legs and fastened about the waist

diaper

2 of 2 verb
diapered; diapering -p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce diaper (audio)
1
: to decorate with diaper designs
2
: to put a diaper on
diaper a baby

Medical Definition

diaper

1 of 2 noun
di·​a·​per ˈdī(-ə)-pər How to pronounce diaper (audio)
: a basic garment especially for infants consisting of a folded cloth or other absorbent material drawn up between the legs and fastened about the waist

diaper

2 of 2 transitive verb
diapered; diapering -p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce diaper (audio)
: to put on or change the diaper of (an infant)

More from Merriam-Webster on diaper

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