jersey

noun

jer·​sey ˈjər-zē 

plural jerseys

1

a

: any of various close-fitting usually circular-knitted garments especially for the upper body

b

: an often loose-fitting shirt that is worn by a member of a sports team as part of a team uniform and that typically has the athlete's name and number on the back

a football jersey

2

: a plain weft-knitted fabric made of wool, cotton, nylon, rayon, or silk and used especially for clothing

3

Jersey : any of a breed of small short-horned predominantly yellowish brown or fawn dairy cattle noted for their rich milk

Examples of jersey in a Sentence

The dress is made of cotton jersey.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sunday the Marlins are bringing back their popular old teal jerseys. —Greg Cote updated March 27, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

The fan base tracks roster moves, remembers jersey numbers and debates legacy rankings with the kind of passion other cities reserve for local politics. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026

During a pre-match meetup, Gonzalez swapped jerseys with Mbappe, the French forward who stars for Real Madrid in La Liga. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Flagg, 19, emerged from this night with his NBA rookie-leading 10th game of at least 20-5-5, a bloodied jersey and heavily wrapped right hand due to a hard final-minute fall -- and much respect for Murray and especially Jokic. —Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Jersey, one of the Channel Islands

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

jersey

noun

jer·​sey ˈjər-zē 

plural jerseys

1

: a plain knitted fabric

2

: a close-fitting knitted garment (as a shirt)

3

capitalized : any of a breed of small usually light tan dairy cattle having short horns and noted for their rich milk

Geographical Definition

Jersey

geographical name

Jer·​sey ˈjər-zē 

1

island in the English Channel; one of the Channel Islands; capital Saint Helier area 45 square miles (117 square kilometers)

Note: The Jersey breed of cattle, the knit fabric called jersey, and the types of upper-body garments called jerseys all derive their names from this island.

2

new jersey

—an informal name

Jerseyan

ˈjər-zē-ən 

noun

Jerseyite

ˈjər-zē-ˌīt 

noun