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

Noun

• armor
• capsule
• case
• casing
• cocoon
• cover
• covering
• encasement
• housing
• hull
• husk
• pod
• sheath
• shell

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

The Matrix star, 60, kept things casual in a dark jacket and white t-shirt, while his visual artist girlfriend, 52, wore a lavender blazer and white top. —Jack Smart, People.com, 24 June 2025

The new collection reimagines Levi’s core items—the Trucker jacket and jeans—with roomier contemporary fits. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 June 2025

Verb

After Cash’s Rick Rubin album, the audience—in New York, at least—was magically transformed into leather jacketed hipster boys working on starter mutton chops and Sarah Lawrence girls wearing gingham skirts and Frye boots, all of them claiming to have grown up on the stuff. —Corey Seymour, Vogue, 12 June 2025

Model Jacquelyn Jablonski wore a vintage Ralph Lauren jacket her mother had thrifted. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024

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

1856, 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
• 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