silk

noun, often attributive

\ ˈsilk

Definition of silk

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles

2 : thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk filaments

3a : a garment of silk

b(1) : a distinctive silk gown worn by a King's or Queen's Counsel

(2) : a King's or Queen's Counsel

c silks plural : the colored cap and blouse of a jockey or harness horse driver made in the registered racing color of the employing stable

4a : a filament resembling silk especially : one produced by a spider

b : silky material milkweed silk especially : the styles of an ear of corn

5 : parachute

silk

verb

silked; silking; silks

Definition of silk (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

of corn

: to develop the silk

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Examples of silk in a Sentence

Noun

a variety of silks and satins The robe has butterflies embroidered in silk on the sleeves. the silk of a spider's web

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The festival also includes a kite-flying exhibition and performances by aerial silk experts Cirque Boreal and local fire dancers. — Yoshina Okamoto, Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s your Alaska summer 2018 festival guide," 17 May 2018 Laylo’s skirt is vintage Christian Lacroix, and the shirt is a Kapital silk Aloha shirt. — Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, "How One Honolulu-Based Artist Gets Dressed to Work in Paradise," 7 Mar. 2019 The collection features double-breasted jackets, trousers, silk shirts, kilts, a beret, tights and pins — all in Westwood’s iconic designs, reimagined in Burberry’s vintage check pattern. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Moss Stars in Vivienne Westwood's and Burberry's Collab Campaign," 6 Dec. 2018 In recent years, high-fashion brands like Balmain, Saint Laurent, Versace, Gucci, and Givenchy have introduced men’s clothing that appeals to the senses, such as vinyl pants, silk shirts, steel-toed boots, and velvet and leather jackets. — Nadra Nittle, Vox, "American Horror Story fans are dressing like the show’s seductive Antichrist," 24 Oct. 2018 Her green silk shirt, for example, is less than $100 from & Other Stories. — Andrea Park, Glamour, "Meghan Markle Brought Back Her Wedding Hair For Her First Trip to Sussex," 3 Oct. 2018 Simple and elegant in any work setting, this classic silk shirt pairs easily with slacks, jeans and skirts. — Caitlin King, The Seattle Times, "5 office essentials for a more fashionable fall," 1 Oct. 2018 Pencil-thin, dressed in a white silk shirt and navy pants, Lee chain-smoked throughout the interview. — Sam Kashner And Nancy Schoenberger, Town & Country, "How Jackie Kennedy and Lee Radziwill Found Careers and Happiness in the 1970s," 13 Aug. 2018 The ‘linked’ construction of the silk ruffles reminds me a lot of bones, specifically vertebrae—a link back to my love of anatomical structure. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "With Stitchless Garments Designer Katie Roberts-Wood Links Femininity to Strength," 20 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In the end, a pink silked jockey named Javier Castellano rode City of Light in a victory that won him the the $9 million Pegasus World Cup and Chad Brown rode Bricks and Mortar to win the over $6 million prize Pegasus World Cup Turf. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Inside Miami's Pegasus Cup, the World’s Richest Horse Race," 1 Feb. 2019 Strip away silks only and grill the ears inside their husks after a 20-minute soak in cold water. — Cheryl Slocum, Country Living, "Truffle Oil, Garlic, and Parmesan Grilled Corn," 14 May 2011 Harbison, Fall 2014 His collaboration with Jim Thompson, silks that today are mostly considered for interiors not clothing, is just another example of how designers are increasingly blurring the lines between decor and fashion. — Sarah Bray, ELLE Decor, "Why We're Seeing Home Fabrics On The Runways," 12 May 2014 Back in the U.S., Variety held its Power of Young Hollywood party, where Zendaya, Charli XCX, Yara Shahidi, and more walked the red (well, black) carpet in everything from Swarovski crystal suits to silk pajamas. — vanityfair.com, "Week in Fashion: Rihanna Hits Crop Over," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'silk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near silk

Statistics for silk

Last Updated

8 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for silk

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

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More Definitions for silk

silk

noun

English Language Learners Definition of silk

: a smooth, soft, and shiny cloth that is made from thread produced by silkworms also : the thread that is used to make silk

: the thread that is produced by a spider

: the thin strings in an ear of corn

See the full definition for silk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

silk

noun

\ ˈsilk

Kids Definition of silk

1 : a fine fiber that is spun by many insect larvae usually to form their cocoon or by spiders to make their webs and that includes some kinds used for weaving cloth

2 : thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk

3 : the threadlike strands that are found over the kernels of an ear of corn

silk

noun

\ ˈsilk

Medical Definition of silk

1 : a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles

2 : strands of silk thread of various thicknesses used as suture material in surgery surgical silk