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

And a lid is only doing half its job if it’s not fully secured. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026

Her otherwise warm and neutral makeup is given intensity with a wash of forest green across and beyond her lids, where her curly tendrils just happen to hit. —Marci Robin, Allure, 8 June 2026

The Crock-Pot also has a locking lid that prevents spills when traveling. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 June 2026

Guests can also order customized barrel heads, or lids, to take home. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 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