fabric

[ fab-rik ]

noun

1. a cloth made by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers:

   woolen fabrics.

2. the texture of the woven, knitted, or felted material:

   cloth of a soft, pliant fabric.

3. framework; structure:

   the fabric of society.

4. a building; edifice.
5. the method of construction.
6. the act of constructing, especially of a church building.
7. the maintenance of such a building.
8. Petrography. the spatial arrangement and orientation of the constituents of a rock.

fabric

/ ˈfæbrɪk /

noun

1. any cloth made from yarn or fibres by weaving, knitting, felting, etc
2. the texture of a cloth
3. a structure or framework

   the fabric of society

4. a style or method of construction
5. rare.
   a building
6. the texture, arrangement, and orientation of the constituents of a rock

Word History and Origins

Origin of fabric¹

1475–85; (< Middle French fabrique ) < Latin fabrica craft, especially metalworking or building, workshop. See forge ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fabric¹

C15: from Latin fabrica workshop, from faber craftsman

Example Sentences

Historic England said "issues with the historic fabric urgently need to be addressed through a programme of repair work".

From BBC

They’d found a piece of fabric in a jumble sale together.

From Los Angeles Times

When the four-time Academy Award nominee moves to the music in her two films this season, the fabric of a blue-striped dress or a vintage silk black top with a rose print becomes one with the choreography.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a 1930s piece of fabric.”

From Los Angeles Times

They’re the stains you can’t rub out, the holes around the collar, the crease marks forever etched into fabric.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fiber
• goods
• textile
• texture