sheath

American  

[sheeth] / ʃiθ /

noun

plural

sheaths

1. a case or covering for the blade of a sword, dagger, or the like.

2. any similar close-fitting covering or case.

3. a condom.

4. Biology. a closely enveloping part or structure, as in an animal or plant.

5. Botany. the leaf base when it forms a vertical coating surrounding the stem.

6. a close-fitting dress, skirt, or coat, especially an unbelted dress with a straight drape.

7. Electricity. the metal covering of a cable.

8. Electronics.

   1. the metal wall of a wave guide.

   2. a space charge formed by ions near an electrode in a tube containing low-pressure gas.

   3. the region of a space charge in a cathode-ray tube.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to sheathe.

sheath British  

/ ʃiːθ /

noun

1. a case or covering for the blade of a knife, sword, etc

2. any similar close-fitting case

3. biology an enclosing or protective structure, such as a leaf base encasing the stem of a plant

4. the protective covering on an electric cable

5. a figure-hugging dress with a narrow tapering skirt

6. another name for condom

---

verb

1. (tr) another word for sheathe

sheath Scientific  

/ shēth /

1. An enveloping tubular structure, such as the base of a grass leaf that surrounds the stem or the tissue that encloses a muscle or nerve fiber.

---

Other Word Forms

• sheathless adjective
• sheathlike adjective
• sheathy adjective

Etymology

Origin of sheath

before 950; Middle English s ( c ) heth ( e ), Old English scēath; cognate with German Scheide; shed ²

Example Sentences

Mr Rowe was carrying a Japanese-made trowel in its sheath, a small Japanese gardener's sickle and a peeling knife, along with a trug of vegetables.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

Frankly, Aidan’s behavior is far more concerning than Wyatt’s, a flag so big and red that Carrie could make a stunning sheath dress out of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2025

Its versatile blade easily slices through steak, vegetables, and fruit, while the Italian leather sheath makes it ideal for travelers.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

C4 plants recruit bundle sheath cells, which normally serve as leaf vein support, to photosynthesize alongside mesophyll cells.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2024

He tried to draw his knife from its sheath, but he’d tightened the strap around the hilt before starting the crossing, and he couldn’t get it loose.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• covering