sheathing

noun

sheath·​ing ˈshē-t͟hiŋ 

-thiŋ

1

: the action of one that sheathes something

2

: material used to sheathe something

especially : the first covering of boards or of waterproof material on the outside wall of a frame house or on a timber roof

Examples of sheathing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This barn is on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut, and it is built in the English/ New England hybrid style that normally had a gable roof and vertical sheathing. —Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2024

Espinosa holds up a length of wire extending from the box, its black sheathing bearing fresh little scars. —Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024

Vinyl Siding Installation Step #6: Siding the Walls Next, nail strips of 1/2-inch rigid-foam sheathing to both sides of the corners and nail the corner trim over these strips. —Merle Henkenius, Popular Mechanics, 2 May 2023

One roll of No. 6 copper wire, covered in bright green sheathing. —Evan Casey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sheathing

noun

sheath·​ing ˈshē-t͟hiŋ 

-thiŋ

: material used to sheathe something

especially : the first covering of boards or of waterproof material on the outside wall of a frame house or on a timber roof