diaper

1 of 2

noun

di·​a·​per ˈdī-pər 

also

ˈdī-ə- 

1

: 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

2

: 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

3

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

also : a similar garment especially for incontinent adults

Illustration of diaper

• diaper 2

diaper

2 of 2

verb

diapered; diapering ˈdī-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to ornament with diaper designs

2

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

Examples of diaper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There, Carlin found his mother, looking skeletal in a hospital bed, wearing a diaper. —Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

The cars were clean, but one smelled faintly of dirty diapers and another smelled like weed, raising questions about maintenance when there's no human driver to monitor such things. —Joann Muller, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025

Verb

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

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates all types of clothing and accessories for parents and parents-to-be, from maternity leggings, maternity jeans and maternity workout clothes to nursing bras to diaper bags and more. —Good Housekeeping, 2 Mar. 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 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)