weave

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈwēv 

wove ˈwōv  or weaved; woven ˈwō-vən  or weaved; weaving

transitive verb

1

a

: to form (cloth) by interlacing strands (as of yarn)

specifically : to make (cloth) on a loom by interlacing warp and filling threads

b

: to interlace (threads) into cloth

c

: to make (something, such as a basket) by intertwining

2

: spin sense 2

—used of spiders and insects

3

: to interlace especially to form a texture, fabric, or design

4

a

: to produce by elaborately combining elements : contrive

b

: to unite in a coherent whole

c

: to introduce as an appropriate element : work in

—usually used with in or into

5

: to direct (something, such as the body) in a winding or zigzag course especially to avoid obstacles

intransitive verb

1

: to work at weaving : make cloth

2

: to move in a devious, winding, or zigzag course especially to avoid obstacles

weave

2 of 3

noun

1

: something woven

especially : woven cloth

2

: any of the patterns or methods for interlacing the threads of woven fabrics

3

: a hair extension (see extension sense 7d)

specifically : a length of natural or synthetic hair that is sewn into one's natural hair after it has been braided into cornrows

weave

3 of 3

verb (2)

weaved; weaving

intransitive verb

: to move waveringly from side to side : sway

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• enlace
• entwine
• implicate [archaic]
• interlace
• intertwine
• intertwist
• interweave
• inweave
• lace
• ply
• twist
• wreathe
• writhe

Examples of weave in a Sentence

Verb (1)

as they have for the past two centuries, crafters continue to weave osiers into the distinctive baskets that are the island's trademark

a political commentator who slyly weaves lies into the truth

a van weaving through traffic with reckless speed

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Marlowe didn’t set out to become one of Indian Country’s most unconventional weavers, though he’s been interested in the art since observing his maternal grandmother weave. —Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024

But both accounts weave a dark tale of romantic intrigue, betrayal and perhaps even murder. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024

Noun

The new speaker’s high-frequency unit shares similarities with the one used in the £5,000-per-pair Dovedale speakers, with a 25mm dome made with a fine fabric weave coated in a special damping material. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

This fabric has an exotic weave, known as anti-de Sitter (AdS) space, which has negative energy (whereas our actual universe is infused with positive energy). —Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English weven, from Old English wefan; akin to Old High German weban to weave, Greek hyphainein to weave, hyphos web

Verb (2)

Middle English weven to move to and fro, wave; akin to Old Norse veifa to be in movement — more at wipe

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing weave

• basket weave
• plain weave
• satin weave

Kids Definition

weave

1 of 2 verb

ˈwēv 

wove ˈwōv  or weaved; woven ˈwō-vən  or weaved; weaving

1

a

: to form by lacing together strands of material

especially : to make on a loom by lacing together threads going lengthwise with threads going crosswise

weave cloth

b

: to form into a fabric

weave wool into tweeds

2

: spin entry 1 sense 2b

a caterpillar weaves a cocoon

3

a

: to make by or as if by lacing together parts

wove an exciting adventure tale

b

: to insert as a part : work in

weave a moral into a tale

4

: to move back and forth or from side to side

weaving his way through a crowd of holiday shoppers

weave

2 of 2 noun

: a pattern or method of weaving