sheath

noun

ˈshēth 

plural sheaths ˈshēt͟hz 

ˈshēths

1

: a case for a blade (as of a knife)

2

: an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body or body part: such as

a

: the tubular fold of skin into which the penis of many mammals is retracted

b(1)

: the lower part of a leaf when surrounding the stem

(2)

: an ensheathing spathe

3

: any of various covering or supporting structures that resemble in appearance or function the sheath of a blade: such as

a

: sheathing sense 2

b

: a woman's close-fitting dress that is usually worn without a belt

c

British : condom sense 1

Synonyms

• armor
• capsule
• case
• casing
• cocoon
• cover
• covering
• encasement
• housing
• hull
• husk
• jacket
• pod
• shell

Examples of sheath in a Sentence

the sheath of a sword

a piece of wire covered with a plastic sheath

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than being tucked beneath a sheath of plastic wrap and placed in a 0°C room, a fan had blown on the fish all night and dried out the skin. —Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 10 May 2024

The evening’s host, FKA Twigs, was easily spotted too, teetering through the party in a pair of sky-high Marc Jacobs platform heels and a nude sheath dress. —Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 7 May 2024

Guest, 1994 Eric Weiss—WWD/Getty Images This guest took a walk on the wild side with a snakeskin sheath dress and matching blazer. —Cady Lang, TIME, 3 May 2024

According to a probable cause affidavit connected to his arrest warrant, police allegedly found his DNA on a knife sheath under Mogen's body. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 May 2024

The sheath dress, embroidered with warm silver pearls and rhinestones, features 2.5 million silver foil bugles. —Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Some paracord companies include strands of fishing line, jute, fire cord and more inside of the outer sheath as well. —Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 1 May 2024

It’s been a year — one in which Barbie pink dominated fashion, the box office and the Oscar red carpet, notably on America Ferrera, who glittered in a custom Atelier Versace sheath, courtesy of stylist Karla Welch. —Carol McColgin, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024

However, investigators did find a tan leather knife sheath at the scene, and the Idaho State Lab found a single source of male DNA on the button snap of the sheath, according to a probable cause affidavit. —Eric Levenson, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English shethe, going back to Old English scǣþ, scēaþ (Northumbrian sceǣþ), scēþ, going back to Germanic *skaiþjō or *skaiþō (whence also Old Frisian skēthe "sheath," Old Saxon skēdia, skēthia, Old High German skeida, Old Icelandic skeiðir, plural), probably noun derivative of *skaiđan-/skaiþan- "to separate, divide" — more at shed entry 1

Note: The original meaning of the Germanic noun was presumably "something split, separated," i.e., two pieces that are split (literally or metaphorically) and that together held the blade; note that the Old Norse noun was plural (the singular skeið meant "weaver's reed, silver spoon").

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing sheath

• medullary sheath
• myelin sheath
• sheath knife

Kids Definition

sheath

noun

ˈshēth 

plural sheaths ˈshēt͟hz 

ˈshēths

1

: a case for a blade (as of a knife)

2

: a covering especially of a body part that is like a sheath in form or use

Medical Definition

sheath

noun

ˈshēth 

plural sheaths ˈshēt͟hz  ˈshēths 

1

: an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body or body part: as

a

: the tubular fold of skin into which the penis of many mammals is retracted

b

: the connective tissue of an organ or part that binds together its component elements and holds it in place

2

: condom sense 1

sheathed adjective