jacket

1 of 2

noun

jack·​et ˈja-kət 

1

a

: a garment for the upper body usually having a front opening, collar, lapels, sleeves, and pockets

b

: something worn or fastened around the body but not for use as clothing

2

a(1)

: the natural covering of an animal

(2)

: the fur or wool of a mammal

b

: the skin of a potato

3

: an outer covering or casing: such as

a(1)

: a thermally nonconducting cover

(2)

: a covering that encloses an intermediate space through which a temperature-controlling fluid circulates

(3)

: a tough cold-worked metal casing that forms the outer shell of a built-up bullet

b(1)

: a wrapper or open envelope for a document

(2)

: an envelope for enclosing registered mail during delivery from one post office to another

c(1)

: a detachable protective cover for a book

(2)

: a paper or cardboard envelope for a phonograph record

jacketless

ˈja-kət-ləs 

adjective

jacket

2 of 2

verb

jacketed; jacketing; jackets

transitive verb

: to put a jacket on : enclose in or with a jacket

Synonyms of jacket

Noun

• sheath
• casing
• covering
• housing

Examples of jacket in a Sentence

Noun

a suit with a double-breasted jacket

slip the art book into its jacket so it won't get dirty

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the boy had become impatient and sullen, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jacket. —Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026

And yet yesterday, Robbie went more easy-breezy, pairing a black strapless romper with a slouchy brown leather jacket, and her trustee cowboy boots. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2026

Verb

Then there is the elegance, of course, as evidenced by the Giorgio Armani jackets the coach wanted for his team. —Nicola Bambini, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026

Soft sweats that don’t stretch out mid-flight, jackets that layer easily over everything, and tops that look polished off the plane are my holy grail. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English jaket, from Anglo-French jackés, plural, diminutive of Middle French jaque short jacket, from jacques peasant, from the name Jacques James

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1861, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing jacket

• bomber jacket
• bush jacket
• dinner jacket
• donkey jacket
• dust jacket
• Eton jacket
• flak jacket
• jacket potato
• life jacket
• mess jacket
• monkey jacket
• Norfolk jacket
• pea jacket
• puffer jacket
• safari jacket
• shell jacket
• shirt jacket
• smoking jacket
• sport jacket
• sports jacket
• water jacket
• yellow jacket

Rhymes for jacket

• bracket
• packet
• racket
• racquet
• straitjacket

Kids Definition

jacket

noun

jack·​et

ˈjak-ət

1

: a garment for the upper body usually having a front opening, collar, and sleeves

2

: an outer covering or casing: as

a

: a tough metal covering on a bullet or projectile

b

: a coating or covering of a nonconducting material used to prevent heat radiation

c

: an outer paper wrapper on a bound book

jacketed

-ət-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

jacket

noun

jack·​et ˈjak-ət 

1

: a rigid covering that envelops the upper body and provides support, correction, or restraint

2

: jacket crown

Legal Definition

jacket

noun

jack·​et

: a standard insurance policy to which other coverage or exclusions may be attached