jersey

noun

jer·​sey ˈjər-zē How to pronounce jersey (audio)
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
capitalized : 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
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.
The new Blues look takes elements from the team’s 2017 Winter Classic jersey, which inspired its third jersey beginning in 2018-19. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 24 June 2025 Men in numbered jerseys and white helmets thunder up and down the field on the backs of camels with decorative leg wraps. Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025 The list of intriguing prospects to don a Lakers jersey in the last 10 to 15 years is deep, headlined by Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Jordan Clarkson, Ivica Zubac and Larry Nance Jr. James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Lionel Messi fans in pink No. 10 shirts, and some in Argentina’s iconic striped jerseys, showed up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday afternoon for a chance to see their idol and his Inter Miami teammates play in a pivotal game against Portuguese club FC Porto in the Club World Cup. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for jersey

Word History

Etymology

Jersey, one of the Channel Islands

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of jersey was in 1587

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jersey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jersey. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

jersey

noun
jer·​sey ˈjər-zē How to pronounce jersey (audio)
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 How to pronounce Jersey (audio)
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 noun
Jerseyite noun

More from Merriam-Webster on jersey

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