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

folded the child in her arms

5

a

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

b

: to incorporate closely

All sorts of persons, places, and animals have been folded into this version of Tolstoy's vision …

—Phillip Hamburger

6

a

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

b

: to bring to an end

folded the business

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

the newspaper folded

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 of fold

Noun (1)

• pack
• circle
• bunch
• network
• crowd
• community
• clique
• clan

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

There is also the infamous image of Trump at the 2018 G7, during which he was photographed sitting with his arms folded as other world leaders, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, tried to engage him. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026

These towels are ultra-thin, sand-free microfiber essentials that shake clean instantly, dry three times faster than cotton, and fold down lightweight and compact for the ultimate travel-ready getaway. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026

Noun

Ripple fold curtains are typically mounted on a track system and create smooth, continuous waves for a modern, streamlined look. —Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026

Season 3 will air its eight episodes (all of which were screened for review) as another studio folds, as more jobs are lost, and as the bright lights of show-business dim ever closer to darkness. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026

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)