hope chest
noun
: a young woman's accumulation of clothes and domestic furnishings (such as silver and linen) kept in anticipation of her marriage
also
: a chest for such an accumulation
Examples of hope chest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lily Franck; 2024; USA; 4 min A mother’s hope chest becomes a catalyst for her daughter’s reconsideration of traditional gender roles in this charming stop-motion animation.
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Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
While the tradition of a hope chest has its roots thousands of years ago, cedar became the material du jour thanks to its insect-repelling qualities.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024
My grad school dissertation explored hope chests and wedding traditions among Turkish women.
—Ayla Samli, Longreads, 14 May 2024
The only item that appeared to be missing was a .357-caliber pistol Jean kept in her hope chest.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2022
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Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
While the tradition of a hope chest has its roots thousands of years ago, cedar became the material du jour thanks to its insect-repelling qualities.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024
My grad school dissertation explored hope chests and wedding traditions among Turkish women.
—Ayla Samli, Longreads, 14 May 2024
The only item that appeared to be missing was a .357-caliber pistol Jean kept in her hope chest.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Hope chest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope%20chest. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
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