mesh

play

noun \ ˈmesh \

Definition of mesh

1 :one of the openings between the threads or cords of a net; also :one of the similar spaces in a network —often used to designate screen size as the number of openings per linear inch

2 a :the fabric of a net

b :a woven, knit, or knotted material of open texture with evenly spaced holes

c :an arrangement of interlocking metal links used especially for jewelry

3 a :a weblike pattern or construction

b :web, snare —usually used in plural

4 :working contact (as of the teeth of gears)

in mesh

—

meshed

play \ˈmesht\ adjective

See mesh defined for English-language learners

See mesh defined for kids

Examples of mesh in a Sentence

We covered the blueberry bushes in nylon mesh to keep the birds from the fruit.
a routine request that got hung up in the meshes of the state bureaucracy

Recent Examples of mesh from the Web

The stationary skimmer, about 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep, sucks in the bacteria-laden water and uses a mesh screen to catch oil pollutants and floating garbage.

— leonor vivanco, chicagotribune.com, "City tests trash skimmer to clean Chicago River near Riverwalk," 28 July 2017
Wearing a black mesh jumpsuit with a jagged, plunging neckline, Kim kind of looked like she got caught in a fisherman's net and just decided to go with it.

— charles manning, Cosmopolitan, "Nude Kim Kardashian Gets Caught in Net While Swimming, Adds Heels, Works It," 21 July 2017
But offerings like the bralette and thong in geo-lace — a cross between mesh and lace — appear to fit the bill, and the price is right.

— kat stoeffel, The Cut, "Where Do You Buy Comfy-Slutty Underwear in a World Without American Apparel?," 17 July 2017
Strain juniper syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; discard solids.

— nikita richardson, Bon Appetit, "These Gin Popsicles Will Get You Through Summer," 12 July 2017
The issue that attracted much attention was the above-ground parking levels that would be masked by metal mesh screen and art walls.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Downtown design deviations? Lighted spire, red frame, screened parking," 12 July 2017
The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh designed to catch and hold the ball.

— lola sherman seaside musings, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Lacrosse tournament draws big crowd to Oceanside," 29 June 2017
Strain through a fine mesh strainer and chill until ready to serve.

— caron golden, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Brian Malarkey's perfect picnic," 27 June 2017
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl with almonds, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids.

— Bon Appetit, "Raspberry-Almond Soda," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mesh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mesh

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch maesche; akin to Old High German masca mesh, Lithuanian mazgos knot

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

mesh Synonyms

Synonyms

entanglement, mesh (es), morass, net, noose, quagmire, quicksand, snare, tanglement, toil (s), trap

Related Words

knot, snarl, tangle; cat's cradle, labyrinth, maze; cobweb, spiderweb

mesh

verb

Definition of mesh

transitive verb

1 a :enmesh, entangle

b :to catch in the openings of a net

2 :to cause to resemble network

3 a :to cause (parts, such as gears) to engage

b :to coordinate closely :interlock

intransitive verb

1 :to become entangled in or as if in meshes

2 :to be in or come into mesh —used especially of gears

3 :to fit or work together properly

See mesh defined for English-language learners

Examples of mesh in a Sentence

They meshed traditions from several cultures into one wedding ceremony.
The book tries to mesh philosophy and humor.
The two plans mesh well.
The gears weren't meshing properly.

Recent Examples of mesh from the Web

Irving will have to find a way to mesh his game with Hayward.

— rohan nadkarni, SI.com, "The Long-Term Benefits of Boston's Kyrie Irving Gamble," 24 Aug. 2017
For her, this explosion theory was the next obvious avenue to explore, and one that meshed well with her injury biomechanics focus at Duke.

— evan lubofsky, Smithsonian, "One Scientist May Have Finally Figured Out the Mystery of Why a Civil War Submarine Sank," 23 Aug. 2017
Strain with a fine, mesh strainer, pressing with a spoon of muddler.

— kara studzinski, Esquire, "How to Turn College Spirits Into Grown-Up Cocktails," 22 Aug. 2017
The lid zips shut via double zippers; a zippered front pocket and mesh back pocket are great for stashing keys, cash, and other small essentials.

— judi dash, Philly.com, "A collapsible, soft-sided cooler that doesn't leak," 20 Aug. 2017
Some women still don’t go outside without wearing blue burqas that cover them from head to toe, leaving only mesh over the eyes.

— Washington Post, "Kabul catwalk: Afghan models show off traditional clothing," 17 Aug. 2017
Louisville used information from rescue inhalers linked to smartphones and meshed it with a vast store of data on outdoor conditions to identify the city's riskiest neighborhoods for people with asthma.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Do you live in asthma risk zone? Check your address in this Louisville map," 30 June 2017
Mayor Greg Fischer Air Louisville also meshed the rescue inhaler with weather, air pollution, and land-use data to map the city based on risk of having asthma attacks.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Official: Other cities hope to replicate Louisville's asthma inhaler study," 28 June 2017
That style didn’t always mesh in situations outside of Dorsey’s undeniable strengths, picking and evaluating players.

— terez a. paylor, kansascity.com, "Sources: Communication, management style were factors in Chiefs’ firing of Dorsey," 25 June 2017

First Known Use of mesh

1532

mesh Synonyms

Synonyms

catch up, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entoil, entrap, entangle, net, snare, tangle, trap

Antonyms

disentangle, untangle

Related Words

bag, birdlime, capture, collar; embroil, implicate, involve, mire

Near Antonyms

detach, disengage, extricate; clear, free, liberate

MESH Defined for English Language Learners

mesh

play

noun

Definition of mesh for English Language Learners

: a material made from threads or wires with evenly spaced holes that allow air or water to pass through

mesh

verb

Definition of mesh for English Language Learners

: to cause (things) to fit together or work together successfully
: to fit or work together successfully
of the parts of a machine : to fit together and move together properly

MESH Defined for Kids

mesh

play

noun \ ˈmesh \

Definition of mesh for Students

1 :a material of open texture with evenly spaced holes

wire mesh

2 :one of the spaces formed by the threads of a net or the wires of a sieve or screen

3 :the coming or fitting together (as of the teeth of two sets of gears)

mesh

verb

Definition of mesh for Students

meshed; meshing

:to fit or join together

The gear teeth must mesh.

Medical Dictionary

mesh

play

noun \ ˈmesh \

medical Definition of mesh

:a flexible netting of fine wire used in surgery especially in the repair of large hernias and other body defects

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mesh

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MESH Defined for English Language Learners

mesh

Definition of mesh for English Language Learners

mesh

Definition of mesh for English Language Learners

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mesh

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mesh

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Medical Dictionary

mesh

medical Definition of mesh

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