pelage

noun

pel·​age ˈpe-lij How to pronounce pelage (audio)
: the hairy covering of a mammal

Examples of pelage in a Sentence

color variation in the snow leopard's pelage
Recent Examples on the Web Most are taken in spring and fall when their pelage is out of sync with the current weather pattern. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Feb. 2023 Some exhibit a pale gray pelage similar to western coyotes, but others are blond, red, and even black. Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2021 This puppy has all its limbs, pelage – fur, even whiskers. Fox News, 4 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pelage.' 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

French, from Middle French, from poil hair, from Old French peil, from Latin pilus

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pelage was in 1734

Dictionary Entries Near pelage

Cite this Entry

“Pelage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelage. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pelage

noun
pel·​age ˈpel-ij How to pronounce pelage (audio)
: the hairy covering of an animal

Medical Definition

pelage

noun
pel·​age ˈpel-ij How to pronounce pelage (audio)
: the hairy covering of a mammal

More from Merriam-Webster on pelage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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