sheathe

verb \ ˈshēṯẖ \

variants: or less commonly sheath play \ˈshēth\

Updated on: 29 Apr 2018

Definition of sheathe

sheathed; sheathing

transitive verb

1 : to put into or furnish with a sheath

2 : to plunge or bury (a weapon, such as a sword) in flesh

3 : to withdraw (a claw) into a sheath

4 : to case or cover with something (such as sheets of metal) that protects

—

sheather

play \ˈshē-ṯẖər, -thər\ noun

See sheathe defined for English-language learners

See sheathe defined for kids

Examples of sheathe in a Sentence

sometimes shipbuilders sheathe a ship's bottom with copper for extra protection from barnacles and other threats

Recent Examples of sheathe from the Web

Pita sheathing a supple yellow omelet, laced with salt and crunchy za’atar and adorned with a stalk of raw scallion.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "Miznon Secures Pita Primacy at Chelsea Market," 21 Apr. 2018
Now each bench is outfitted with two or three tablets depending on the rink, as is the scorekeepers' bench, prepared for any officials' review, sheathed in protective cases and stored against the glass for live video review.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "For NHL Teams and Players, iPads Have Become an Important Part of the Game," 17 Apr. 2018
Now, after a year’s work of reinvention, the park is visible immediately upon entering the apartment, as is a column that looks like a polished jewel, sheathed in a mirror that reflects the natural light.

— wendy goodman, The Cut, "‘Litchenstein’ in the Kitchen," 17 Apr. 2018
Decker said, gazing at her daughter, sheathed in the red floor-length gown and donning Decker’s blue and brown cowgirl boots.

— cynthia billhartz gregorian, kansascity, "Teens put on gowns and tuxes and get a night to forget their troubles at special prom | The Kansas City Star," 13 Apr. 2018
Skin — often sheathed in hammered tin — is another.

— leah ollman, latimes.com, "Alison Saar turns things 'Topsy Turvy' at L.A. Louver," 9 Apr. 2018
With Ridley in charge, the bayonet is sheathed, the olive branch extended.

— tara sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "Augusta National’s addition of women’s event is a big step forward for sporting equality," 4 Apr. 2018
Four years later, the building gleams, freshly sheathed in gray metal siding.

— anton troianovski, chicagotribune.com, "Crimea's propaganda machine fans fear in closing days of Putin's campaign," 16 Mar. 2018
And the glowing transom over the office entrance was sheathed in marble.

— inga saffron, Philly.com, "Discovering an art deco Kresge's behind a Center City storefront," 13 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of sheathe

Middle English shethen, from shethe sheath

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sheathe Synonyms

Synonyms

clad, face;

Near Antonyms

bare, denude, expose, strip;

unswathe;

encase, enclose (also inclose), enshroud, envelop, enwrap, invest, lap, mantle, shroud, surround, swathe, veil, wrap;

blanket, overlay, overspread;

SHEATHE Defined for English Language Learners

sheathe

verb

Definition of sheathe for English Language Learners

: to put (something, such as a sword) into a sheath
: to cover (something) with something that protects it

SHEATHE Defined for Kids

sheathe

verb \ ˈshēt͟h \

Definition of sheathe for Students

sheathed; sheathing

1 : to put into a sheath

Sheathe your sword.

2 : to cover with something that protects

The ship's bottom is sheathed with copper.

Learn More about sheathe

See words that rhyme with sheathe Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sheathe Spanish Central: Translation of sheathe Nglish: Translation of sheathe for Spanish speakers

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sheathe

Definition of sheathe

sheather

Examples of sheathe in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of sheathe

sheathe Synonyms

Synonyms

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SHEATHE Defined for English Language Learners

sheathe

Definition of sheathe for English Language Learners

SHEATHE Defined for Kids

sheathe

Definition of sheathe for Students

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