sheathe

verb \ ˈshēṯẖ \

variants: or less commonly sheath play \ˈshēth\

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: sheathe in a Sentence

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

The California officer who impounded the vehicle found a medical card with Cunningham’s name on it in the passenger compartment, as well as a samurai sword, sheathed and wrapped in a blanket in the trunk, the charges say.

— sara jean green, The Seattle Times, "DNA found on samurai sword leads to murder charge, warrant against former Island County man," 3 July 2018
Becca, still sheathed in her one-on-one dress, greets him.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "The Bachelorette Season 14, Episode 6 Recap: Is Now Really The Time For A "Debate"?," 3 July 2018
Four billion years ago, both planets were warm, sheathed by protective atmospheres, and carved with rivers and pools of liquid water.

— derek thompson, The Atlantic, "Is Colonizing Mars the Most Important Project in Human History?," 29 June 2018
The world will soon see whether the president’s tweets of iron can be smoothly sheathed in a diplomatic glove.

— walter russell mead, WSJ, "Pompeo on What Trump Wants," 25 June 2018
Running at the end of practice, after a couple of hours in the sun, sheathed in shoulder pads and a helmet, is part of practice.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Sprinting worked for the Patriots. Why not for Matt Patricia's Lions?," 11 June 2018
The institute is a master at promoting legislation that looks unassuming, even laudable, on its surface while keeping its right-wing fangs sheathed.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "How a right-wing group's proposed 'free speech' law aims to undermine free speech on campus," 30 May 2018
In 2002, archaeologists in Siberia discovered 34 burials that included several mummies sheathed in copper and five infants buried with copper face masks.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "How a Copper Coin Mummified a Baby’s Hand," 26 May 2018
The 1940s console was purchased in Paris, the walls are sheathed in a Holland & Sherry fabric, and the unsigned artwork is from Redefined Chicago.

— susanna homan, ELLE Decor, "Once A Vintage Jewelry Seller, Alisa Bloom Becomes a Sought-After Designer and Contractor," 17 May 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

Recent Examples of sheathe from the Web

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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