feather

1 of 2

noun

feath·​er ˈfe-t͟hər How to pronounce feather (audio)
1
a
: any of the light, horny, epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds

Note: Feathers include the smaller down feathers and the larger contour and flight feathers. Larger feathers consist of a shaft (rachis) bearing branches (barbs) which bear smaller branches (barbules). These smaller branches bear tiny hook-bearing processes (barbicels) which interlock with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous stiff vane. Down feathers lack barbules, resulting in fluffy feathers which provide insulation below the contour feathers.

b
archaic : plume sense 2a
c
: the vane of an arrow
2
a
b
: kind, nature
birds of a feather flock together
c
d
: condition, mood
woke up in fine feather
e
feathers plural : composure
some feathers had been ruffledD. J. Blum
3
4
: a projecting strip, rib, fin, or flange
5
: a feathery flaw in the eye or in a precious stone
6
: the act of feathering an oar
featherless adjective

Illustration of feather

Illustration of feather
  • A-1 quill
  • A-2 vane; B-1 barb
  • B-2 barbule
  • B-3 barbicel with hamulus

feather

2 of 2

verb

feathered; feathering ˈfet͟h-riŋ How to pronounce feather (audio)
ˈfe-t͟hə-

transitive verb

1
a
: to furnish (something, such as an arrow) with a feather
b
: to cover, clothe, or adorn with or as if with feathers
2
a
: to turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal when lifting from the water at the end of a stroke to reduce air resistance
b(1)
: to change the angle of (airplane propeller blades) so that the chords become approximately parallel to the line of flight
also : to change the angle of airplane propeller blades of (an engine) in such a manner
(2)
: to change the angle of (a rotor blade of a rotorcraft) periodically in forward flight
3
: to reduce the edge of to a featheredge
4
a
of a bird : to cut (the air) with a wing
b
of a fish : to cut (the water) with a fin
5
: to join by a tongue and groove
6
: to hit, throw, pass, or shoot softly and usually with precision
feathered a perfect lob over the net

intransitive verb

1
: to grow or form feathers
2
: to have or take on the appearance of a feather or something feathered
3
: to soak in and spread : blur
used of ink or a printed impression
4
: to feather an oar or an airplane propeller blade
Phrases
a feather in one's cap
: a mark of distinction : honor
feather one's nest
: to provide for oneself especially financially by unethically exploiting a position of trust

Examples of feather in a Sentence

Noun they are a very sports-minded couple, and most of their friends are of the same feather prom couples strutted into the ballroom in full feather
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Another unique trait: While nesting the cranes will paint their feathers with the rusty, clay soil to better camouflage themselves and protect their young. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Many of the looks in the collection are almost couture-esque, incorporating feathers (something new for the brand) as well as new techniques of beading and corsetry and crystals in the evening wear. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2024 These hand paintings are typically created using delicate feathers and natural pigments. Nargess Banks, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Certain sets of golden eagle feathers can sell for several hundred dollars, The Associated Press reported. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 Search the grounds for interesting items from nature, such as feathers, leaves, flowers, seed pods, or fruit. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 The lightweight diaphanous Valentino, with its simple spaghetti strap bodice and flirty feather trim, more than fit the bill. Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024 Wood ducks are often shot early in the season, and those birds will often have a lot of pin feathers and not much fat under the skin. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2024 The wreath was decorated with three Prince of Wales feathers. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
Philadelphia tied it less than three minutes later when Travis Konecny feathered a pass into the slot, where Farabee redirected it past Fleury. Patrick Donnelly, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024 But feathering the edges and rounding over corners helps ensure that the new paint is uniformly thick, thus resistant to cracking. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024 All this is to say that the adoration of animals — furry, feathered, or otherwise — is a part of our history, tracing back thousands and thousands of years. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 The Golden Globes red carpet has also been the scene of many a fashion moment over the years, from Julia Roberts’s pinstriped skirt suit in 1991, to Nicole Kidman’s peacock feathered Gucci dress in 2005, and Natalie Portman’s rose embellished Viktor & Rolf in 2011. Vogue, 7 Jan. 2024 For the Latin Grammy Awards in Seville, Spain, the pop star opted to turn heads with the help of brows on a new generation of fleek, each feathered and segmented to artful effect. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023 None of us were tarred and feathered for simply asking the question. Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023 Fossils of complete skeletons, bird parts preserved in amber and new techniques to compare the extinct birds with their living counterparts are allowing researchers to flesh out how these feathered, flying, toothy dinosaurs spread throughout the ancient world. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023 From the outset indicating the centrality of composer Eiko Ishibashi’s score, we are drawn into the film with a long musical excerpt, only accompanied by fluid tracking shot, looking upward: a tracery of tree branches, feathered out against a winter sky. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feather.' 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 fether, from Old English; akin to Old High German federa wing, Latin petere to go to, seek, Greek petesthai to fly, piptein to fall, pteron wing

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near feather

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

feather

1 of 2 noun
feath·​er ˈfet͟h-ər How to pronounce feather (audio)
1
: one of the light horny growths that make up the outer covering of the body of a bird
2
a
: kind entry 1 sense 1, nature
birds of a feather
b
: clothing sense 1, dress
in full feather
c
: condition entry 1 sense 5b, mood
in fine feather
feathered adjective
featherless
-ər-ləs
adjective
feathery
-(ə-)rē
adjective

feather

2 of 2 verb
feathered; feathering ˈfet͟h-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce feather (audio)
1
a
: to provide (as an arrow) with a feather
b
: to cover, clothe, or adorn with feathers
2
a
: to turn (an oar blade) parallel to the water when lifting from the water at the end of a stroke
b
: to change the angle of (airplane propeller blades) to reduce air resistance
also : to change the angle of airplane propeller blades of (an engine) in such a manner
3
: to grow feathers
4
: to move, spread, or grow like feathers

Medical Definition

feather

noun
feath·​er ˈfet͟h-ər How to pronounce feather (audio)
: one of the light horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds and that consist of a shaft bearing on each side a series of barbs which bear barbules which in turn bear barbicels commonly ending in the hooked processes and interlocking with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous vane
feathered adjective

Geographical Definition

Feather

geographical name

Feath·​er ˈfe-t͟hər How to pronounce Feather (audio)
river 100 miles (161 kilometers) long in north central California flowing south into the Sacramento River

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