sleeve

[ sleev ]

noun

1. the part of a garment that covers the arm, varying in form and length but commonly tubular.
2. a protective container, usually thin and flexible with an opening on one side for insertion or removal of an item, as a paper storage envelope for a phonograph record, or a padded case for a tablet or other electronic device: a 24-sleeve CD wallet.

   a form-fitting laptop sleeve;

   a 24-sleeve CD wallet.

3. a pliable tubular or rectangular container for crackers, cookies, and the like that is typically opened at one end to remove individual servings: The largest box has four sleeves of saltines inside.

   I ate a whole sleeve of shortbreads before I realized how many calories that is!

   The largest box has four sleeves of saltines inside.

4. Machinery. a tubular piece, as of metal, fitting over a rod or the like.
5. a pattern of tattoos that covers the arm from shoulder to wrist in one integrated piece of tattoo art:

   I got my first tattoo when I turned 18, and by 28 I had full sleeves on both arms.

verb (used with object)

, sleeved, sleev·ing.

1. to furnish with sleeves.
2. Machinery. to fit with a sleeve; join or fasten by means of a sleeve.

sleeve

/ sliːv /

noun

1. the part of a garment covering the arm
2. a tubular piece that is forced or shrunk into a cylindrical bore to reduce the diameter of the bore or to line it with a different material; liner
3. a tube fitted externally over two cylindrical parts in order to join them; bush
4. a flat cardboard or plastic container to protect a gramophone record US namejacket
5. roll up one's sleeves
   to prepare oneself for work, a fight, etc
6. up one's sleeve
   secretly ready

verb

1. tr to provide with a sleeve or sleeves

Derived Forms

• ˈsleeveˌlike, adjective
• ˈsleeveless, adjective

Other Words From

• sleeve·like adjective
• un·sleeved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleeve¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English sleve, slieve, Old English slēfe (Anglian), slīefe; akin to Dutch sloof “apron”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleeve¹

Old English slīf, slēf; related to Dutch sloof apron

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have something up one's sleeve, to have a secret plan, scheme, opinion, or the like:

   I could tell by her sly look that she had something up her sleeve.

2. laugh up / in one's sleeve, to be secretly amused or contemptuous; laugh inwardly:

   to laugh up one's sleeve at someone's affectations.

More idioms and phrases containing sleeve

see card up one's sleeve ; laugh up one's sleeve ; roll up one's sleeves ; wear one's heart on one's sleeve .

Example Sentences

“They have trusted us with their votes. Now we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

From Salon

He said that the aorta was repaired by the surgical team, and the gastric sleeve procedure cancelled due to the complications.

From BBC

“Dan could have easily put me in a gown that was a little more subdued; he stuck with the pattern but kept a nonthreatening silhouette. It’s a sweet cap sleeve,” Preston says.

From Los Angeles Times

"This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves."

From Salon

Wearing an “I voted” sticker on his sleeve, Juan Molina, 61, of Santa Ana said he doubted Trump would accept the results if Harris were to win.

From Los Angeles Times