lid

1 of 2

noun

ˈlid 

plural lids

1

: a movable cover for the opening of a hollow container (such as a vessel or box)

2

: eyelid

3

: the operculum in mosses

4

slang : hat

5

: something that confines, limits, or suppresses : check, restraint

6

slang : an ounce of marijuana

"He wanted privacy. He'd bought a keg of beer and a lid of dope and he didn't want his parents to know."

—Sue Grafton

lid

2 of 2

verb

lidded; lidding

transitive verb

: to cover or supply with a lid

Synonyms

Noun

• cap
• cover
• top

Examples of lid in a Sentence

Noun

I had to get a screwdriver to pry the lid off of the paint can.

as he left the field, the pitcher tipped his lid to the cheering crowd

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Consumer Product Safety Commission Stanley is recalling about 2.6 million of its mugs due to a hiccup with the lids. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024

The company said that the mug’s lid threads can shrink when exposed to heat and torque, causing the lid to detach during use and posing a burn hazard. —Michelle Chapman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

The current recall involves smaller travel mugs whose lid threads can shrink when encountering heat and torque, potentially causing the lid to detach while consumers are using the mugs. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024

The company has reported 91 instances globally of lids coming loose during use, resulting in 38 burn injuries. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hlid; akin to Old High German hlit cover, and probably to Old English hlinian to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lid

• blow the lid off
• flip one's lid
• keep a lid on
• lift the lid on
• put a lid on
• put a lid on it
• put the lid on

Kids Definition

lid

noun

ˈlid

1

: a movable cover (as for a box or jar)

2

: eyelid

3

slang : hat

4

: a force that holds back

tried to keep a lid on the news

lidded

ˈlid-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

lid

noun

ˈlid 

: eyelid