zipper

American  

[zip-er] / ˈzɪp ər /

noun

1. Also called slide fastener.  a device used for fastening clothing, valises, etc., consisting of two toothed tracks or spiral metal or plastic coils, each bordering one of two edges to be joined, and a piece that either interlocks or separates them when pulled.

2. a person or thing that zips. zip.

3. a rubber and fabric boot or overshoe fastened up the leg by a zipper.

4. a large illuminated display of news bulletins or advertisements that rapidly and continously flash by on an upper part of a building.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. zip.

zipper British  

/ ˈzɪpə /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): zip.  a fastening device operating by means of two parallel rows of metal or plastic teeth on either side of a closure that are interlocked by a sliding tab

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Other Word Forms

• zipperless adjective

Etymology

Origin of zipper

1920–25, formerly a trademark; zip ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

I mess with the zipper on the throw pillow I’m leaning against.

From Literature

She put the photo back in her pencil case, and then gripped the zipper with her thumb and first finger and pulled.

From Literature

A minute later, another photo came in, this one of a solid cream sweater with a zipper at the collar, light blue jeans, and brown shoes.

From Literature

As the tectonic plates shifted, the crust in this region was pulled apart and fractured, opening progressively from east to west, much like a zipper being undone.

From Science Daily

“I see three toppled cars and a big gap down the middle of the street, like somebody opened a giant zipper.”

From Literature

Related Words

• connection
• link