eyelid

noun

eye·​lid ˈī-ˌlid 

: either of the movable folds of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

Examples of eyelid in a Sentence

the upper eyelid of the left eye

Recent Examples on the Web

How menopause hormones disrupt tear production The connection sits in the glands behind the eyelids. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

At Yohji Yamamoto, a long strand of eyelashes cascaded down from a model’s lower eyelid and snaked against her face. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

How Heated Eye Masks Work Warm compresses have long been used by ophthalmologists to loosen clogged oil glands in the eyelids. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026

The body had been laid on a blanket, and somebody had carefully opened the eyelids and pressed the mouth into a smile, for the picture. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing eyelid

• not bat an eyelid

Rhymes for eyelid

• amid
• forbid
• majid
• masjid
• outbid
• outdid
• plasmid
• turbid
• undid
• bid
• did
• grid

Kids Definition

eyelid

noun

eye·​lid ˈī-ˌlid 

: one of the movable lids of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

Medical Definition

eyelid

noun

eye·​lid ˈī-ˌlid 

: either of the movable lids of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

called also palpebra