pouch

play

noun \ˈpau̇ch\

Definition of pouch

1 : a small drawstring bag carried on the person
2a : a bag of small or moderate size for storing or transporting goods; specifically : a lockable bag for first-class mail or diplomatic dispatchesb chiefly Scotland : pocketc : packet
3 : an anatomical structure resembling a pouch

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

Your choice of steak, chicken, pastor or carnitas is piled high on a base of either fried masa (sope) or folded into a masa pouch (gordita).

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Meal time or not, Supermercado Guanajuato is worth a stop | Review," 5 July 2017
Before leaving the orphanage, tourists are given a guide to pouch-checking.

— serena solomon, The Seattle Times, "A quest to save baby kangaroos on a lonely Australian highway," 30 June 2017
Joeys start to venture out of the pouch periodically at about 6 months old.

— serena solomon, The Seattle Times, "A quest to save baby kangaroos on a lonely Australian highway," 30 June 2017
Plus from Friday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 4th customers will receive a free palm tree pouch valued at $250 with purchases over $1,000.

— robyn mowatt, The Cut, "Here’s Your Master List of Every Good Fourth of July Sale," 29 June 2017
Customize a no-frills canvas case, like the Augbunny 16-ounce pouch ($14 for 4, amazon.com).

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Projects perfect for celebrating the red, white and blue," 28 June 2017
One was still warm and whole, but its pouch was empty.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "Saving baby kangaroos on a lonely Australian highway," 26 June 2017
Extract the cheesecloth pouch and squeeze out excess syrup before discarding.

— veronica hinke, chicagotribune.com, "Simple ways to make seasonal berries sizzle this summer," 21 June 2017
When the team is working, Scott wears a pouch full of Purina kibble.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "It’s a changing of the guard for the District’s fire investigation team," 21 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

Other Clothing Terms

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

pouch

verb

Definition of pouch

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

First Known Use of pouch

circa 1566

POUCH Defined for English Language Learners

pouch

play

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

POUCH Defined for Kids

pouch

play

noun \ˈpau̇ch\

Definition of pouch for Students

1 : a small bag that can be closed (as with a string)
2 : a bag for carrying goods or valuables a mail pouch
3 : a pocket of folded skin especially for carrying the young (as on the abdomen of a kangaroo) or for carrying food (as in the cheek of a hamster)
4 : a structure of the body in the form of a bag

Medical Dictionary

pouch

play

noun \ˈpau̇ch\

Medical Definition of pouch

: an anatomical structure resembling a bag or pocket a blind gastric pouch filled with bile and gastric juice—Journal of the American Medical Association