jersey

noun

jer·​sey ˈjər-zē 

plural jerseys

1

a

: any of various close-fitting usually circular-knitted garments especially for the upper body

b

: an often loose-fitting shirt that is worn by a member of a sports team as part of a team uniform and that typically has the athlete's name and number on the back

a football jersey

2

: a plain weft-knitted fabric made of wool, cotton, nylon, rayon, or silk and used especially for clothing

3

Jersey : any of a breed of small short-horned predominantly yellowish brown or fawn dairy cattle noted for their rich milk

Examples of jersey in a Sentence

The dress is made of cotton jersey.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only are the Heat dropping their Vice City themed jerseys that night, but the concession stands in the Kaseya Center will be GTA-inspired as well. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Linebacker Daiyan Henley sported a non-contact jersey during the media viewing period of practice. — Gabriel Duarte, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026

Thursday, the league opened a temporary shop at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium filled with jerseys, shirts, hats and other items bearing its Madrid game logo and other designs for the matchup. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Dali pulled her jersey over her face, then disappeared into the locker room. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Jersey, one of the Channel Islands

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

jersey

noun

jer·​sey ˈjər-zē 

plural jerseys

1

: a plain knitted fabric

2

: a close-fitting knitted garment (as a shirt)

3

capitalized : any of a breed of small usually light tan dairy cattle having short horns and noted for their rich milk

Geographical Definition

Jersey

geographical name

Jer·​sey ˈjər-zē 

1

island in the English Channel; one of the Channel Islands; capital Saint Helier area 45 square miles (117 square kilometers)

Note: The Jersey breed of cattle, the knit fabric called jersey, and the types of upper-body garments called jerseys all derive their names from this island.

2

new jersey

—an informal name

Jerseyan

ˈjər-zē-ən 

noun

Jerseyite

ˈjər-zē-ˌīt 

noun