fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfa-brik 

1

a

: structure, building

b

: underlying structure : framework

the fabric of society

2

: an act of constructing : erection

specifically : the construction and maintenance of a church building

3

a

: structural plan or style of construction

b

: texture, quality

—used chiefly of textiles

c

: the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other

4

a

: cloth sense 1a

b

: a material that resembles cloth

5

: the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

Synonyms

• cloth
• textile

Examples of fabric in a Sentence

The curtains are made of expensive fabric.

scarves made of woven fabrics

the fabric of the community

Recent Examples on the Web

Rex is designed to be squished and loved thanks to his super soft polyester fabric. —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

It’s made from a waterproof, microfiber fabric that is easy to clean and use for camping. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024

This is because the fabric of the surrounding production lacks texture. —David Benedict, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

The dress is made from a soft and stretchy jersey fabric that comes in four colors and won’t wrinkle in your suitcase. —Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024

They are typically made from breathable fabrics such as bamboo, cotton or linen. —Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024

Perhaps the fabric of community and spiritual support, and the legacy of culture and heritage, could be preserved. —Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024

This mini backpack is made with a coated waterproof fabric that’ll keep your things dry on your commute and looks über fashionable. —L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

Cybersecurity workforce development plans, baked into the fabric and objectives of organizations. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French fabrique "act of construction, something created or constructed, the created world, structure, construction and maintenance of a church," borrowed from Medieval Latin fabrica, going back to Latin, "process of making something, craft, art, workshop," noun derivative from *fabricus "of a craftsman," from fabr-, faber "craftsman, smith" (perhaps going back to dialectal Indo-European *d^hab^h-r- —perhaps of non-Indo-European origin— whence also Armenian darbin "smith," from *d^hab^h-r-sneh₂) + -icus -ic entry 1

Note: The Latin derivative fabrica may have been shortened from fabrica ars, perhaps literally "smith's craft, smith's place of work." The base *d^hab^h-r- has been compared with Gothic gadaban "to happen, be suitable" and a host of related words (see daft), though the semantic link is tenuous.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fabric

• fabric softener

Kids Definition

fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfab-rik 

1

: the basic structure

the fabric of society

2

: cloth sense 1