diaper

1 of 2

noun

di·​a·​per ˈdī-pər 

also

ˈdī-ə- 

1

: a basic garment for infants consisting of a folded cloth or other absorbent material drawn up between the legs and fastened about the waist to hold body waste

also : a similar garment especially for incontinent adults

2

: 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

3

: 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

Illustration of diaper

• diaper 3

diaper

2 of 2

verb

diapered; diapering ˈdī-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to put on or change the diaper of (an infant)

2

: to ornament with diaper designs

Examples of diaper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the last year, their program reached nearly 35,000 families with literacy efforts – including book distribution and programming – and helped collect and distribute around 64,000 diapers to families across the county. —Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Some nursing home workers reported buying diapers, sanitizing wipes and other supplies with their own money after McKesson, a medical supplies company, stopped deliveries. —Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Verb

Aging demographics are reshaping everything from retirement plans and immigration patterns to diaper sales and popular ideals about beauty. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 May 2025

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

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 2

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing diaper

• diaper rash

Rhymes for diaper

• sandpiper
• hyper
• piper
• riper
• sniper
• viper
• wiper

Kids Definition

diaper

1 of 2 noun

di·​a·​per ˈdī-(ə-)pər 

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 

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 

: 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 

: to put on or change the diaper of (an infant)