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.
One college student even spent a year washing his basketball team’s sweaty jerseys and socks to stand out and prove his passion for the industry. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025 On Tuesday, the Royals all sported Kansas City basketball jerseys during their pregame work and batting practice. Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025 However, in the South, that doesn’t just mean a jersey. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025 Former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski came running in wearing a Bananas jersey and was met with a roar from unsuspecting South Side fans. Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 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 31 Aug. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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