sleeve

noun \ ˈslēv \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 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

His Instagram story is filled with puppies, Drake references, and patterned short-sleeve button-down shirts.

— refinery29.com, "Can We Start The Wills Reid For Bachelor Campaign Right Now?," 10 July 2018
For women, this drop includes a crop top, tank top, and bike shorts, plus a long-sleeve T-shirt, leggings, track pants, a track top, a windbreaker, and a gym bag.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "You Can Wear These Luxury Bike Shorts Pretty Much Anywhere," 10 July 2018
The surveillance video, available here shows a man in a blue long-sleeve shirt and a fishing cap jumping over the store's counter with a gun in his hand.

— stephen tucker paulsen, Houston Chronicle, "Police share video in hopes of nabbing robber," 27 June 2018
Alexander Malkevich stood outside the White House on Thursday, braving the 85-degree heat in a skintight long-sleeve shirt with Che Guevara’s face emblazoned on it.

— NBC News, "This man is running Russia's newest propaganda effort in the U.S. — or at least he's trying to," 15 June 2018
Remix your summer dresses for fall by layering them over long sleeve shirts and swapping your summery sandals for boots.

— seventeen editors, Seventeen, "33 Back To School Outfits That Will Actually Make You Want to Go Back to School," 5 June 2018
Wear a long sleeve shirt and consider taping the end of the glove around your arm, so no skin is exposed.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy," 4 June 2018
And the tie with a short sleeve shirt never looks good either.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Delta’s reported $20 million designer uniform rollout draws mixed reviews," 31 May 2018
Dressed in jeans, a black short-sleeve shirt, and white sneakers, DeLuca offered jurors an insight into a mob power struggle.

— shelley murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Mobster: Mafia boss said ‘make sure you’ve got a hole dug’ before killing nightclub owner," 29 May 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