variants
or selvedge
1
a
: the edge on either side of a woven or flat-knitted fabric so finished as to prevent raveling
specifically
: a narrow border often of different or heavier threads than the fabric and sometimes in a different weave
b
: an edge (as of fabric or paper) meant to be cut off and discarded
Examples of selvage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Featuring nods to some of the fashion brand’s distinctive elements such as the tailoring selvage, echoed in the trim running along the boat’s tubular frame, and the Red Dot motif, the boat is decked in discreet tones of sandy beige and white.
—
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Her name also appears centered atop the white selvage, also in violet.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Staple fabrics such as selvage denim and cottons are par for the course but there’s also more unusual choices, like a beautiful linen fabric made in the Osaka area in the 17th or 18th century that Yagi found in an antique shop in Kyoto.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 16 Sep. 2024
Per the name, the style is pulled from the 1950s and recreated in Japan from premium selvage denim.
—Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Slim selvage jeans are made with the utmost care.
—Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2022
Blue floral wallpaper from Sandberg immerses visitors in saturated color, along with a graphic checkerboard lambswool throw from Wallace Sewell and a custom selvage Japanese denim bedspread designed by Katch Interiors.
—Laura Raskin, ELLE Decor, 10 Aug. 2022
Cut Drapery Pieces Lay out your fabric panels and trim the selvage edges.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2023
According to the postal service, the margin paper, or selvage, attached to the stamp sheet will include a photo taken of Lewis in 1963 by photographer Steve Schapiro in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2022
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Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Her name also appears centered atop the white selvage, also in violet.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Staple fabrics such as selvage denim and cottons are par for the course but there’s also more unusual choices, like a beautiful linen fabric made in the Osaka area in the 17th or 18th century that Yagi found in an antique shop in Kyoto.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 16 Sep. 2024
Per the name, the style is pulled from the 1950s and recreated in Japan from premium selvage denim.
—Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Slim selvage jeans are made with the utmost care.
—Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2022
Blue floral wallpaper from Sandberg immerses visitors in saturated color, along with a graphic checkerboard lambswool throw from Wallace Sewell and a custom selvage Japanese denim bedspread designed by Katch Interiors.
—Laura Raskin, ELLE Decor, 10 Aug. 2022
Cut Drapery Pieces Lay out your fabric panels and trim the selvage edges.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2023
According to the postal service, the margin paper, or selvage, attached to the stamp sheet will include a photo taken of Lewis in 1963 by photographer Steve Schapiro in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Selvage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selvage. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
selvage
noun
sel·vage
variants
or selvedge
: an edge of cloth so woven that it will not ravel
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