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sheet

noun (1)
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\ ˈshēt How to pronounce sheet (audio) \

Definition of sheet

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1a : a broad piece of cloth especially : bedsheet
b : sail sense 1a(1)
2a(1) : a usually rectangular piece of paper especially : one manufactured for printing
(2) : a rectangular piece of heavy paper with a plant specimen mounted on it an herbarium of 100,000 sheets
b : a printed signature for a book especially before it has been folded, cut, or bound —usually used in plural
c : a newspaper, periodical, or occasional publication a gossip sheet
d : the unseparated postage stamps printed by one impression of a plate on a single piece of paper also : a pane of stamps
3 : a broad stretch or surface of something a sheet of ice
4 : a suspended or moving expanse (as of fire or rain)
5a : a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth
b : a flat baking pan of tinned metal a cookie sheet
6 : a surface or part of a surface in which it is possible to pass from any one point of it to any other without leaving the surface a hyperboloid of two sheets

sheet

adjective

Definition of sheet (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : rolled or spread out in a sheet
2 : of, relating to, or concerned with the making of sheet metal

sheet

verb (1)
sheeted; sheeting; sheets

Definition of sheet (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with a sheet floors sheeted with dust
2 : to furnish with sheets
3 : to form into sheets

intransitive verb

: to fall, spread, or flow in a sheet the rain sheeted against the windows

sheet

noun (2)

Definition of sheet (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : a rope or chain that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
2 sheets plural : the spaces at either end of an open boat not occupied by thwarts : foresheets and stern sheets together
three sheets in the wind or three sheets to the wind
: drunk sense 1a

sheet

verb (2)
sheeted; sheeting; sheets

Definition of sheet (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

: to move or set (a sail) by manipulation of a sheet
sheet home
1 : to extend (a sail) and set as flat as possible by hauling upon the sheets
2 : to fix the responsibility for : bring home to one
Other Words from sheet Phrases Containing sheet Learn More About sheet

Other Words from sheet

Noun (1)

sheetlike \ ˈshēt-​ˌlīk How to pronounce sheet (audio) \ adjective

Verb (1)

sheeter noun

First Known Use of sheet

Noun (1)

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

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sheet

Noun (1)

Middle English shete, from Old English scēte, scīete; akin to Old English scēat edge, Old High German scōz flap, skirt

Noun (2)

Middle English shete, from Old English scēata lower corner of a sail; akin to Old English scȳte sheet

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best cotton sheets.

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Time Traveler for sheet

Time Traveler

The first known use of sheet was before the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near sheet

sheesh

sheet

sheetage

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Cite this Entry

“Sheet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheet. Accessed 28 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for sheet

sheet

noun
\ ˈshēt How to pronounce sheet (audio) \

Kids Definition of sheet

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a large piece of cloth used to cover something and especially to cover a bed
2 : a usually rectangular piece of paper
3 : a broad continuous surface a sheet of ice
4 : something that is very thin as compared with its length and width a sheet of iron

sheet

noun

Kids Definition of sheet (Entry 2 of 2)

: a rope or chain used to adjust the angle at which the sail of a boat is set to catch the wind

sheet

noun
\ ˈshēt How to pronounce sheet (audio) \

Medical Definition of sheet

1 : a broad piece of cloth especially : an oblong of usually cotton or linen cloth used as an article of bedding
2 : a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth a sheet of connective tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on sheet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sheet

Nglish: Translation of sheet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sheet for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sheet

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