1
: a usually undressed skin with its hair, wool, or fur
a sheep's pelt
2
: a skin stripped of hair or wool for tanning
pelted; pelting; pelts
: to strip off the skin or pelt of (an animal)
pelted; pelting; pelts
1
a
: to strike with a succession of blows or missiles
pelted him with stones
b
: to assail vigorously or persistently
pelted her with accusations
3
: to beat or dash repeatedly against
hailstones pelting the roof
1
: to deliver a succession of blows or missiles
2
: to beat incessantly
3
: to move rapidly and vigorously : hurry
pelter
noun
Examples of pelt in a Sentence
Noun (1)
caught beavers and sold the pelts to fur traders
Verb (2)
pelted away when the cops arrived
pelted snowballs at each other while waiting for the bus
pelted the other kids with pebbles
Noun (2)
gave the dog a sharp pelt on the nose with her rolled up newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2025
Against a backdrop of corporatized Pride Month mega-events that pelt you with free rainbow canteens and bad music, this was much more authentic and communal.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
In the United States, it is estimated that 100,000 wolves were killed for their pelts each year between 1870 and 1877, according to the International Wolf Center.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelt
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Verb
When a motorcade of DHS agents was executing a search warrant on the property, a massive gathering of protesters waving Mexican flags tried to intercept a part of the convoy by pelting some of the vehicles with rocks and shattering windshields in the process.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2025
Against a backdrop of corporatized Pride Month mega-events that pelt you with free rainbow canteens and bad music, this was much more authentic and communal.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
Noun
Only a reindeer pelt separates you from the cold slab below.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
In the United States, it is estimated that 100,000 wolves were killed for their pelts each year between 1870 and 1877, according to the International Wolf Center.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelt
Cite this Entry
“Pelt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelt. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pelt
1 of 2 noun
: a usually unfinished skin with its hair, wool, or fur
pelt
2 of 2 verb1
: to strike with a series of blows, missiles, or words
2
3
: to beat against again and again
4
: to move quickly
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pelt "skin and attached fur of an animal"
Verb
Middle English pelten "to hit with a series of blows, pelt"
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