1
: the hair of a horse especially from the mane or tail
2
: cloth made from horsehair

Examples of horsehair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This two-piece Jason Markk kit includes a soft horsehair brush for cleaning suede without roughing it up, plus an eraser for removing stubborn dirt and marks. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026 Local artwork made of horsehair, hanging above the beds, pays homage to the native wild horses of the area. — Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Also, sometimes the filling that was used, including upholstery foam, batting, straw, and horsehair, can trigger allergies. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026 This shift has forced artisans to look elsewhere, making southern Colombia and central Ecuador the primary sources for horsehair. — ABC News, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for horsehair

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of horsehair was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Horsehair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsehair. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

horsehair

noun
1
: hair of a horse especially from the mane or tail
2
: cloth made from horsehair
horsehair adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on horsehair

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!