wrap

1 of 3

verb

wrapped; wrapping

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover especially by winding or folding
b
: to envelop and secure for transportation or storage : bundle
d
: to coil, fold, draw, or twine (such as string or cloth) around something
2
b
: to suffuse or surround with an aura or state
the affair was wrapped in scandal
c
: to involve completely : engross
usually used with up
3
: to conceal or obscure as if by enveloping
4
: to enclose as if with a protective covering
5
: to finish filming or recording
wrap a movie

intransitive verb

1
: to wind, coil, or twine so as to encircle or cover something
2
: to put on clothing : dress
usually used with up
3
: to be subject to covering, enclosing, or packaging
usually used with up
4
: to come to completion in filming or recording

wrap

2 of 3

noun

1
a(1)
(2)
: material used for wrapping
plastic wrap
b
: an article of clothing that may be wrapped around a person
especially : an outer garment (such as a coat or shawl)
c
d
: a treatment for the care of the skin in which material (such as hot wet cloth or seaweed) is wrapped around the entire body
also : this material
2
: a single turn or convolution of something wound around an object
3
wraps plural
a
b
: a shroud of secrecy
a plan kept under wraps
4
: the completion of a schedule or session for filming or recording
5
: a thin flat piece of bread that is rolled around a filling (as of meat, fish, or vegetables)

wrap

3 of 3

adjective

Examples of wrap in a Sentence

Verb They were busy wrapping presents late on Christmas Eve. Ribbons were wrapped around the dancers' arms. She wrapped a scarf around her neck. He wrapped tape around the bat's handle. I wrapped my arms around her. She wrapped her legs around a pillow. He wrapped his hands around the trophy. The line of people went out the door and wrapped around the corner. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The entire eight-line stanza dodges root-chord finality, though, until the last line, wrapping itself in the situation’s inherent frustration. Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2023 The quarterback was carted off the MetLife Stadium turf after just four snaps during his Jets debut, then limped into the locker room with a boot wrapped around his lower left leg. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2023 Sleep overnight with hair wrapped around the socks for best results. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2023 Club Director Adam Clough knelt in the darkened room, lifted a giant plush caterpillar from the floor and wrapped it around his shoulders like a shawl. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023 Harris, 50, wraps one arm around his daughter and another around Gideon, who matches Burtka by holding up his playbill. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023 For instance, it was located beside two ceramic vessels and a cloth wrapped around several metal objects. Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023 In a couple of the snapshots, which were evidently taken backstage at one of the Jonas Brothers World Tour stops, Chopra can be seen gazing adoringly into her husband’s eyes with her arm wrapped tightly around his shoulders. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2023 The noise woke her daughter, who sprung into action and wrapped her brother in soaking-wet towels. Eshaan Sarup, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2023
Noun
The beers complement the pub’s menu of sandwiches, wraps, pizza and pub-style appetizers. Ameunier, oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2023 Once the item is out of the oven and cooled, wrap or store products to help ensure maximum moisture and freshness. Nik Pugmire, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2023 This extra box, in tandem with the foam corners and bubble wrap (which come included), afford more peace of mind for shipping something as delicate as a TV. Tom Price, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2023 Royer uses shrink wrap when shipping, but that might be impractical for someone freezing a couple of pumpkin pies at home. Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 29 Aug. 2023 Eight months later in March 2023, Nicola Coughlan posted a photo of her and Luke Newton celebrating, and fans in the comments speculated the photo was snapped at a wrap party for the season. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 24 Aug. 2023 This super popular wrap dress has a breezy, elegant silhouette that can easily transition between warm and cool weather. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2023 The new slate of dates kicks off on Dec. 13 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn — following the European leg that starts this October — and wraps at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City with a four-date run from April 20-24, 2024. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2023 View Exterior Photos On Wednesday in New York City, the wraps came off the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ. John Voelcker, Car and Driver, 11 Aug. 2023
Adjective
The Lakers sported athletic tape around their wrists with the word ‘redemption’ emblazoned across the pre-wrap. Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Nov. 2022 Worn as a single long necklace, wrapped into a choker style or a multi-wrap bracelet, or even strung around the hips as a belt, the piece is bound to strike a chord. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2022 Wrap cheese in waxed paper and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Molly Kimball, NOLA.com, 29 Aug. 2017 Wrap pencil with washi tape keeping it as tight as possible. Sarah Newell, Seventeen, 9 Aug. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wrap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wrappen

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrap was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near wrap

Cite this Entry

“Wrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrap. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

wrap

1 of 2 verb
wrapped; wrapping
1
a
: to cover especially by winding or folding
wrap a baby in a blanket
b
: to enclose and prepare (as for transportation or storage)
wrap a package
c
: embrace entry 1 sense 1
wrapped her in my arms
d
: to coil, fold, or draw about something
wrap a rubber band around the sticks
2
a
: to envelop closely or completely : surround
houses wrapped in mist
b
: to involve completely : engross
they were wrapped up in studying for exams
3
: to finish filming or recording
wrap a movie

wrap

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a covering that encloses something : wrapper
b
: material for wrapping
plastic wrap
2
: an article of clothing that may be wrapped around a person
especially : a warm loose outer garment (as a coat or shawl)
3
plural : secrecy sense 2
a plan kept under wraps
4
: the completion of a schedule or session for filming or recording

More from Merriam-Webster on wrap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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