sheaf

noun

plural sheaves ˈshēvz How to pronounce sheaf (audio)
1
: a quantity of the stalks and ears of a cereal grass or sometimes other plant material bound together
2
: something resembling a sheaf of grain
a sheaf of papers
3
: a large amount or number
sheaflike adjective

Examples of sheaf in a Sentence

contends that casino gambling would generate a sheaf of social problems for the state
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Early song-sharking companies in the 1910s merely set customers’ lyrics to sheet music and mailed the sheaves to the customer as a collector’s item. Luke Savage, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 The link to conformal field theory gave Beilinson and Drinfeld a place to start thinking about how to build a version of Fourier analysis for sheaves. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 19 July 2024 The sovereign, who is chieftain of the games, also watched traditional Highland sports including the hammer throw, sheaf toss and stone put. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2024 Even the simplest sheaves are fairly complicated mathematical entities. Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for sheaf 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sheef, from Old English scēaf; akin to Old High German scoub sheaf, Russian chub forelock

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheaf was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sheaf

Cite this Entry

“Sheaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheaf. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sheaf

noun
plural sheaves ˈshēvz How to pronounce sheaf (audio)
1
: a bundle of stalks and ears of grain
2
: a group of things often fastened together and resembling a sheaf of grain
a sheaf of arrows
a sheaf of papers
sheaflike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sheaf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!