lid

1 of 2

noun

ˈlid 

plural lids

1

: a movable cover for the opening of a hollow container (such as a vessel or box)

2

: eyelid

3

: the operculum in mosses

4

slang : hat

5

: something that confines, limits, or suppresses : check, restraint

6

slang : an ounce of marijuana

"He wanted privacy. He'd bought a keg of beer and a lid of dope and he didn't want his parents to know."

—Sue Grafton

lid

2 of 2

verb

lidded; lidding

transitive verb

: to cover or supply with a lid

Synonyms of lid

Noun

• cover
• top
• cap
• hood
• roof

Examples of lid in a Sentence

Noun

I had to get a screwdriver to pry the lid off of the paint can.

as he left the field, the pitcher tipped his lid to the cheering crowd

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These silicone lids from Basic Haus solve that problem by adapting perfectly to any shape. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026

This 11-piece Carote nonstick cookware set includes two frying pans, a saute pan, two saucepans, two fridge storage lids, two silicone lids and two removable handles that can be attached to different pieces in the set with just the click of a button. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

Hot Ice Icy looks, from frosted lids to cool-toned palettes, have slowly grown in popularity over the past few years. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026

Be sure every food storage container is completely dry, especially around lid rims, before storing it. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hlid; akin to Old High German hlit cover, and probably to Old English hlinian to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lid

• blow the lid off
• flip one's lid
• keep a lid on
• lift the lid on
• put a lid on
• put a lid on it
• put the lid on

Rhymes for lid

• bid
• did
• grid
• hid
• id
• mid
• quid
• rid
• skid
• slid
• squid
• amid

Kids Definition

lid

noun

ˈlid

1

: a movable cover (as for a box or jar)

2

: eyelid

3

slang : hat

4

: a force that holds back

tried to keep a lid on the news

lidded

ˈlid-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

lid

noun

ˈlid 

: eyelid