shroud

1 of 2

noun

ˈshrau̇d 

especially Southern ˈsrau̇d

1

: burial garment : winding-sheet, cerement

2

: something that covers, screens, or guards: such as

a

: one of two flanges that give peripheral support to turbine or fan bedding

b

: a guard (as of ceramic or fiberglass) that protects a spacecraft from the heat of launching

3

a

: one of the ropes leading usually in pairs from a ship's mastheads to give lateral support to the masts

b

: one of the cords that suspend the harness of a parachute from the canopy

4

obsolete : shelter, protection

Illustration of shroud

• 1 shroud 3a

shroud

2 of 2

verb

shrouded; shrouding; shrouds

transitive verb

1

a

: to cut off from view : obscure

trees shrouded by fog

this point is shrouded in uncertainty

—Henry James

b

: to veil under another appearance (as by obscuring or disguising)

shrouded the decision in a series of formalities

2

: to dress for burial

3

a

archaic : to cover for protection

b

obsolete : conceal

intransitive verb

archaic : to seek shelter

Synonyms of shroud

Noun

• veil
• cloak
• wraps
• pall
• blanket

Verb

• conceal
• hide
• obscure
• cover
• veil
• mask
• cloak
• curtain

Examples of shroud in a Sentence

Noun

the truth of the affair will always be hidden under a shroud of secrecy

Verb

The mountains were shrouded in fog.

Their work is shrouded in secrecy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Swappable kiltie lace shrouds offer the choice of the same three flavors, as does an assortment of laces that adds a chocolate chip-like pattern as a forth option. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Scaffolding was being taken down Tuesday after workers over Labor Day weekend removed a shroud that had obscured the work. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

However, for many designers, the pitching and publication process often feels shrouded in secrecy. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026

One of Eagle's concerns is that the proposals are shrouded in secrecy. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, garment, from Old English scrūd; akin to Old English scrēade shred — more at shred entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Phrases Containing shroud

• futtock shroud

Rhymes for shroud

• bowed
• browed
• cloud
• cowed
• crowd
• dowd
• loud
• ploughed
• plowed
• proud
• sowed
• stroud

Kids Definition

shroud

1 of 2 noun

ˈshrau̇d 

1

: the cloth placed over or around a dead body

2

: something that covers or shelters like a shroud

a shroud of secrecy

3

: one of the ropes that go from the masthead of a ship to the sides to provide support to the mast

shroud

2 of 2 verb

: to cover with or as if with a shroud

shrouded in fog