quilt

1 of 2

noun

ˈkwilt 

1

a

: a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (such as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs

b

: patchwork quilt sense 1

2

: something that is quilted or resembles a quilt

a quilt of houses and parks

quilt

2 of 2

verb

quilted; quilting; quilts

transitive verb

1

a

: to fill, pad, or line like a quilt

b(1)

: to stitch, sew, or cover with lines or patterns like those used in quilts

(2)

: to stitch (designs) through layers of cloth

c

: to fasten between two pieces of material

2

: to stitch or sew in layers with padding in between

intransitive verb

1

: to make quilts

2

: to do quilted work

quilter noun

Examples of quilt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Within the lone star pattern of the quilt, gifted to her posthumously, were also Safari giraffes and zebras and elephants. —Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Mar. 2026

In the baby room, antique quilts, geometric wallpaper, and upholstered bed make for a quiet riot. —Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

Being Hermés, there were, of course, equestrian details aplenty with jodphors, knee-high riding boots, and quilted pieces that evoked a horse's saddle. —Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Tabar began quilting 30 years ago after taking a continuing education class in the craft at Palomar College. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English quilte mattress, quilt, from Anglo-French coilte, from Latin culcita mattress

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing quilt

• crazy quilt
• patchwork quilt

Rhymes for quilt

• built
• gilt
• guilt
• hilt
• kilt
• lilt
• milt
• silt
• spilt
• stilt
• tilt
• wilt

Kids Definition

quilt

1 of 2 noun

ˈkwilt 

: a bed cover made of two layers of cloth with a filling of wool, cotton, or down held together by patterned stitching

quilt

2 of 2 verb

: to construct (as by padding, covering with patterns, or sewing layers together) like a quilt

quilter noun