sleeve

noun \ ˈslēv \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: sleeve in a Sentence

Definition of sleeve

1 a : a part of a garment covering an arm

b : sleevelet

2 a : a tubular part (such as a hollow axle or a bushing) designed to fit over another part

b : an open-ended flat or tubular packaging or cover; especially : jacket 3c(2)

—

sleeved

play \ˈslēvd\ adjective

—

sleeveless

play \ˈslēv-ləs\ adjective

— on one's sleeve

: in an honest and open manner —used with wear

wears his emotions on his sleeve

— up one's sleeve

: held secretly in reserve

has a few tricks up her sleeve

See sleeve defined for English-language learners

See sleeve defined for kids

Examples of sleeve in a Sentence

a shirt with long sleeves
The joint is covered with a metal sleeve.

Recent Examples of sleeve from the Web

The band's first album was famously self-burned and sold in handmade denim sleeves at its shows, becoming almost an overnight must-have and hard-to-get collectible.

— mel shields, sacbee, "Stills and Collins, Gramm offer nostalgia appeal at weekend casino shows | The Sacramento Bee," 18 May 2018
Joanna Gaines Captures Bedtime Woes of Parents Everywhere in Perfect Photo After their conversation, Joanna and Jenna rolled up their sleeves and got to cooking.

— perri ormont blumberg, Southern Living, "Joanna Gaines Welcomes Jenna Bush Hager into Her Waco Home," 16 May 2018
Our guys were playing in long sleeves and leggings like everyone does now.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "'This Celtics team has Butler written all over it'," 3 May 2018
Keep postcards in museum-quality plastic sleeves and store in a photo box for optimum organization.

— brenda yenke, cleveland.com, "New location for the Annual Postcard & Paper Show: Yenke Peddler antiques," 26 Apr. 2018
As the sun soared higher against the blue sky, the temperature climbing into the 60s, Woods slipped off his black sweater and played the rest of the round in short sleeves.

— paul newberry, Houston Chronicle, "Tiger Woods plods through his 1st Masters round since 2015," 5 Apr. 2018
The sleek digital-like design and tiny pods filled with flavored nicotine juice have caught on fast with underage teens, who can easily hide the tiny vapor puffs in their sleeves and charge the device on school laptops.

— mari a. schaefer, Philly.com, "Juuling, the latest e-cig craze that has schools worried," 13 Mar. 2018
Some advisers adhere to a strict bucket strategy, which involves investing money in separate sleeves earmarked for specific phases or years in retirement.

— janet kidd stewart, The Seattle Times, "4 things for retirees to keep in mind about the volatile stock market," 22 Feb. 2018
Some seniors need to break their habit of keeping tissues in their sleeves, according to Matthys.

— nancy coltun webster, Post-Tribune, "Don't want to get the flu? Stop using hankies, experts say," 16 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of sleeve

Middle English sleve, from Old English slīefe; perhaps akin to Old English slēfan to slip (clothes) on, slūpan to slip, Old High German sliofan, Latin lubricus slippery

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

SLEEVE Defined for English Language Learners

sleeve

noun

Definition of sleeve for English Language Learners

: the part of a shirt, jacket, etc., that covers all or part of your arm
: a part that fits over or around something to protect it or to hold its parts together