pouch

noun \ ˈpau̇ch \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of pouch

1 : a small drawstring bag carried on the person

2 a : a bag of small or moderate size for storing or transporting goods; specifically : a lockable bag for first-class mail or diplomatic dispatches

b chiefly Scotland : pocket

c : packet

3 : an anatomical structure resembling a pouch

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pouched

play \ˈpau̇cht\ adjective

See pouch defined for English-language learners

See pouch defined for kids

Examples of pouch in a Sentence

He carried his money in a small leather pouch in his pocket.
we sealed the catnip in a cloth pouch and tossed it to the cat

Recent Examples of pouch from the Web

Each pouch is sugar-free and contains zero calories, and can be mixed with your favorite spirit in a blender or on the rocks.

— madison roberts, PEOPLE.com, "These 100-Calorie Boozy Popsicles Are Back at Costco for Summer," 6 June 2018
Also, where's the travel pouch to keep this snazzy set safe?

— josie colt, WIRED, "All the Gear, Gadgets, and Apps We Loved in May," 31 May 2018
Each pouch is removable and can be mixed and matched, creating a variety of styling options.

— sari anne tuschman, latimes.com, "The fanny pack — yes, the fanny pack — is in the midst of a major comeback," 18 May 2018
The single-portion pouches are high in fiber, low in sugar, and filled with organic, gluten-free ingredients like beetroot powder, matcha green tea, and chia seeds.

— Outside Online, "The Best Fuel of 2018," 15 May 2018
The New England brand's version of anorak, it's built out of lightweight material, full of pockets and pouches and has got a timeless design.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Today's Best Deals: Things Won't Break in a Pelican Case," 30 Apr. 2018
Harford County is expected to get 10,000 pouches during the APG event Saturday.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Thousands of drug disposal pouches to be distributed to state from APG starting Saturday," 20 Apr. 2018
Uninfected pouches are common as people get older, with a risk of 30 to 40 percent by age 50, according to Alyssa Parian, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

— Washington Post, "HHS secretary readmitted to hospital for further treatment of diverticulitis," 18 Apr. 2018
But despite its dominance in the celebrity street style game, the hands-free pouch can still be challenging to incorporate into an everyday wardrobe.

— nia porter, Vogue, "This New York Design Duo Proves There’s More Than One Way to Style a Fanny Pack," 28 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of pouch

Middle English pouche, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English pocca bag

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pouch Synonyms

Synonyms

bag, poke [chiefly Southern {amp} Midland], sack;

bundle, pack, package, packet, parcel;

backpack, barracks bag, duffel bag, haversack, knapsack, rucksack, satchel, tote;

handbag, pocketbook, purse, tote bag;

ditty bag, flight bag, garment bag, kit bag, shopping bag, work bag;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

pouch

verb

Definition of pouch

pouched; pouching; pouches

transitive verb

1 : to put or form into or as if into a pouch

2 : to transmit by pouch

intransitive verb

1 : to bulge in a manner suggesting a pouch

pouching cheeks

2 : to transmit mail or dispatches by pouch

Examples of pouch in a Sentence

as he grew older, the skin on his neck pouched

Recent Examples of pouch from the Web

An African giant pouched rat rode on a handler’s shoulder at Apopo’s training facility in Morogoro in 2016.

— alexandra wexler, WSJ, "How Giant African Rats Are Saving Lives in Former War Zones," 4 May 2018
An exotic pet dealer imported 800 animals from Africa, including giant pouched rats, dormice and rope squirrels.

— Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 3 Nov. 2017
No giant pouched rats, but the majority of traps have yet to be set.

— Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 3 Nov. 2017
Giant pouched rats, dormice and squirrels are the chief suspects, but there could be others.

— Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 3 Nov. 2017
The push to exclude products that are canned, pouched, smoked or steamed stemmed from a push by the U.S. tuna fleet.

— author: laine welch, Alaska Dispatch News, "A closer look at the value of Alaska’s seafood industry," 23 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of pouch

circa 1566

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pouch Synonyms

POUCH Defined for English Language Learners

pouch

noun

Definition of pouch for English Language Learners

: a small bag
: a bag often with a lock that is used to carry letters or important papers
: a pocket of skin on the stomachs of some female animals (such as kangaroos and koalas) that is used to carry young