swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling

ˈswäd-liŋ,

ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes

b

: envelop, swathe

legs swaddled in bandages

2

: restrain, restrict

marriage … swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe

—Nina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.

Recent Examples on the Web

The first shows the newborn with her parents swaddled in a blanket and wearing a large bow headband. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 30 July 2025

Another snap showed a solo shot of the newborn all swaddled up and resting. —Charna Flam, People.com, 3 July 2025

While the modern gameplan in the NFL is to swaddle nearly every team’s stars in bubble wrap during the preseason in order to avoid serious injuries, Burrow wants to play in the summer. —Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

For a more casual look, try these Dr. Scholl’s platform sneakers that are podiatrist-approved and have a plush insole that’ll swaddle your feet in coziness. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swaddle

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• model
• twaddle
• waddle
• remodel

Kids Definition

swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes