sheathe

verb

\ ˈshēṯẖ

variants: or less commonly sheath \ ˈshēth

sheathed; sheathing

Definition of sheathe

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

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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 on the Web

The ships, sheathed in iron, bristled with the latest Victorian-era technology—from steam engines to heated water and an early daguerreotype camera. — National Geographic, "In 1845 explorers sought the Northwest Passage—then vanished," 8 Aug. 2019 Celebrities aren’t the only ones sheathing their illustrious strands in head wraps this season. — Jennifer Ford, Essence, "Kehlani's Daughter Looks Adorable In Her Head Wrap," 1 Aug. 2019 Most of the facades of the addition will be sheathed in glass or in limestone panels chosen to match the limestone of the original temple. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "CWRU nears construction kickoff this fall for Maltz Performing Arts Center expansion," 1 Aug. 2019 It was sheathed in cling-wrap, as a protection against the fiery sting of police pepper spray. — Time, "'We Are Risking Everything.' Hong Kong's Young Rebels Stake Everything on Their Struggle," 5 July 2019 Who showed up at tournaments sheathed in bright orange or yellow outfits. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Rickie Fowler, Make-A-Wish and the walk of a lifetime at Detroit Golf Club," 30 June 2019 The Swedish producer and songwriter, 37, hadn’t been to this house, sheathed in blue glass and immaculate green hedges, in over a year. — August Brown, latimes.com, "Avicii’s final songs emerge on ‘Tim,’ with help from many friends," 7 June 2019 Hooters waitress and model Briana Smith understands better than most the instinctive obsession with the human body, the careful study of its topography, the peaks and valleys of firm muscle sheathed in smooth, supple skin. — Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, "Meet Briana Smith: Miss Hooters International contestant and future mortician," 17 June 2019 And there’s evidence that the hull was originally sheathed with copper, as was then common practice for oceangoing merchant vessels. — National Geographic, "Last American slave ship is discovered in Alabama," 22 May 2019

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.