envelope

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noun en·ve·lope \ ˈen-və-ˌlōp , ˈän- \

Definition of envelope

1 :a flat usually paper container (as for a letter)

2 :something that envelops :wrapper

the envelope of air around the earth

3 a :the outer covering of an aerostat

b :the bag containing the gas in a balloon or airship

4 a :a natural enclosing covering (such as a membrane, shell, or integument)

b :a lipoprotein unit membrane that forms the outer layer of some virions

5 a :a curve tangent to each of a family of curves

b :a surface tangent to each of a family of surfaces

6 :a set of performance limits (as of an aircraft) that may not be safely exceeded; also :the set of operating parameters that exists within these limits

7 :a conventionally accepted limit

new computers that push the envelope

See envelope defined for English-language learners

See envelope defined for kids

How do you pronounce envelope?

The \ˈen-\ and \ˈän-\ pronunciations are used with about equal frequency, and both are fully acceptable, though the \ˈän-\ version is sometimes decried as "pseudo-French." Actually \ˈän-\ is exactly what one would expect to hear when a French word like entrepreneur is becoming anglicized. Envelope, however, has been in English for nearly 300 years, plenty of time for it to become completely anglicized and for both of its pronunciations to win respectability.

Recent Examples of envelope from the Web

He's already pushed the financial envelope there, quickly becoming an eight-figure fighter and the UFC's top earner.

— rick maese, chicagotribune.com, "While Floyd Mayweather heads back to retirement, Conor McGregor weighs his fighting options," 27 Aug. 2017
During that exchange, Holbrook said surveillance photos taken showed Jurgensen handing Buncich a white envelope containing $7,500 cash.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "FBI agent testifies he saw Lake County Sheriff Buncich take cash from tow operator," 10 Aug. 2017
In more recent history, American Shaker furniture makers gave their austere rockers’ seats this four-flap envelope motif, and mid-century Danish and American designers experimented with the frame’s look.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Weave these decorative pieces into a room’s design naturally," 5 Aug. 2017
Little by little, developers have pushed the envelope at a time when that is marketable.

— andres viglucci, miamiherald, "Tree-devouring “white boxes” invade lush Coconut Grove, and the locals revolt," 21 July 2017
What's with the envelope stuck under the windshield wiper?

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "Gift-bearing admirers make no secret they like Naperville cops," 18 July 2017
On occasion, I.R.S. agents were said to sit in the hallway and, knowing Cohn’s reputation as a deadbeat, were there to intercept any envelopes with money.

— marie brenner, The Hive, "How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn’s Ruthless Symbiosis Changed America," 4 July 2017
On occasion, I.R.S. agents were said to sit in the hallway and, knowing Cohn’s reputation as a deadbeat, were there to intercept any envelopes with money.

— marie brenner, The Hive, "How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn’s Ruthless Symbiosis Changed America," 4 July 2017
On occasion, I.R.S. agents were said to sit in the hallway and, knowing Cohn’s reputation as a deadbeat, were there to intercept any envelopes with money.

— marie brenner, The Hive, "How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn’s Ruthless Symbiosis Changed America," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'envelope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of envelope

circa 1714

Other Paper Terms

folio, palimpsest, quire, ream

ENVELOPE Defined for English Language Learners

envelope

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noun

Definition of envelope for English Language Learners

: an enclosing cover for a letter, card, etc.

ENVELOPE Defined for Kids

envelope

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noun en·ve·lope \ ˈen-və-ˌlōp , ˈän- \

Definition of envelope for Students

:a flat usually paper container (as for a letter)

Medical Dictionary

envelope

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noun en·ve·lope \ ˈen-və-ˌlōp , ˈän- \

medical Definition of envelope

:a natural enclosing covering (as a membrane or integument); especially :a lipoprotein unit membrane that forms the outer layer of some virions and surrounds the viral capsid

These glycoprotein complexes, swept up by the budding virus as it acquires its envelope, are crucial to HIV's ability to infect new cells.
—William A. Haseltine et al., Scientific American, October 1988