fold

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈfōld 

folded; folding; folds

transitive verb

1

: to lay one part over another part of

fold a letter

2

: to reduce the length or bulk of by doubling over

fold a tent

3

: to clasp together : entwine

fold the hands

4

: to clasp or enwrap closely : embrace

5

a

: to incorporate (a food ingredient) into a mixture by repeated gentle overturnings without stirring or beating

b

: to incorporate closely

6

a

: to concede defeat by withdrawing (one's cards) from play (as in poker)

b

: to bring to an end

7

: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into folds

intransitive verb

1

: to become doubled or pleated

2

: to fail completely : collapse

especially : to go out of business

3

: to fold one's cards (as in poker)

fold

2 of 5

noun (1)

1

: a part doubled or laid over another part : pleat

2

: a crease made by folding something (such as a newspaper)

3

: something that is folded together or that enfolds

4

a

: a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative after the depositing or consolidation of the rock

b

chiefly British : an undulation in the landscape

5

: a margin apparently formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical structure (such as a membrane)

Illustration of fold

• fold 4a

fold

3 of 5

noun (2)

1

a

: a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasm

His former colleagues would be glad to welcome him back into the fold.

b

: a flock of sheep

2

: an enclosure for sheep

fold

4 of 5

verb (2)

folded; folding; folds

transitive verb

: to pen up or confine (sheep) in a fold

-fold

5 of 5

suffix

1

: multiplied by (a specified number) : times

—in adjectives

a sixfold increase

and adverbs

repay you tenfold

2

: having (so many) parts

threefold aspect of the problem

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• body
• bunch
• circle
• clan
• clique
• community
• coterie
• coven
• crowd
• galère
• gang
• klatch
• klatsch
• lot
• network
• pack
• ring
• set

Verb (2)

• double

Examples of fold in a Sentence

Noun (1)

ready to welcome their old Liberal friend back into the fold

Verb (2)

fold the blanket so that it will fit inside the trunk

the business folded after just two months

Suffix

It will repay you tenfold.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The eye cups fold down for glasses-wearers but not easily. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 June 2025

Local police folded up the banner and took it away. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 June 2025

Noun

With Bashar al-Assad’s eviction and the exodus of Iran and its proxies, Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia have rushed to engage Syria’s new rulers to bring the country back into the Arab fold. —Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2025

Features include a large UPF 50+ canopy, leatherette parent handle, large storage basket, and quick one-handed fold. —Laura Lu, Parents, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English fealdan; akin to Old High German faldan to fold, Greek diplasios twofold

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English falod; akin to Old Saxon faled enclosure

Suffix

Middle English, from Old English -feald; akin to Old High German -falt -fold, Latin -plex, -plus, Old English fealdan

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fold

• epicanthal fold
• epicanthic fold
• the fold

Rhymes for fold

• bold
• bowled
• cold
• doled
• foaled
• fold
• gold
• ahold
• behold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled

Kids Definition

fold

1 of 5 noun

ˈfōld 

1

: a pen for sheep

2

: a group of people with a common faith or interest

fold

2 of 5 verb

: to shut up in a fold

fold

3 of 5 verb

1

: to lay one part over or against another part

fold a letter

birds folding their wings

2

: to clasp together

fold the hands

3

: embrace entry 1 sense 1

4

: to bend (as a layer of rock) into folds

5

: to add (a food ingredient) to a mixture by gently and repeatedly lifting one part over another

6

: to become doubled or pleated

7

: to fail completely

the business folded

fold

4 of 5 noun

1

: a doubling or folding over

2

: a part doubled or laid over another part

3

: a bend produced in rock

-fold

5 of 5 suffix

ˌfōld,

ˈfōld

1

: multiplied by (a specified number) : times

—in adjectives

a twelvefold increase

and adverbs

repay you tenfold

2

: having (so many) parts

a threefold problem

Etymology

Noun

Old English falod "pen for sheep"

Verb

Old English fealdan "to fold, make double thickness"

Suffix

Old English -feald (suffix) "being increased (so many) times"

Medical Definition

fold

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈfōld 

: to become doubled or pleated

fold

2 of 2 noun

: a margin apparently formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical structure (as a membrane)