1
a
: a broad piece of cloth
especially
: bedsheet
b
2
a(1)
: a usually rectangular piece of paper
especially
: one manufactured for printing
(2)
: a rectangular piece of heavy paper with a plant specimen mounted on it
an herbarium of 100,000 sheets
b
: a printed signature for a book especially before it has been folded, cut, or bound
—usually used in plural
c
: a newspaper, periodical, or occasional publication
a gossip sheet
d
: the unseparated postage stamps printed by one impression of a plate on a single piece of paper
also
: a pane of stamps
3
: a broad stretch or surface of something
a sheet of ice
4
: a suspended or moving expanse (as of fire or rain)
5
a
: a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth
b
: a flat baking pan of tinned metal
a cookie sheet
6
: a surface or part of a surface in which it is possible to pass from any one point of it to any other without leaving the surface
a hyperboloid of two sheets
1
: rolled or spread out in a sheet
2
: of, relating to, or concerned with the making of sheet metal
sheeted; sheeting; sheets
1
: to cover with a sheet
floors sheeted with dust
2
: to furnish with sheets
3
: to form into sheets
: to fall, spread, or flow in a sheet
the rain sheeted against the windows
sheeter
noun
1
: a rope or chain that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
2
sheets plural
: the spaces at either end of an open boat not occupied by thwarts : foresheets and stern sheets together
sheeted; sheeting; sheets
: to move or set (a sail) by manipulation of a sheet
Synonyms
Examples of sheet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2023
Material: Polyethylene sheeting with EPS foam The 32 Best One-Piece Swimsuits for Women of 2023, Including Mindy Kaling's Pick
Things to Consider Before Buying a Hot Tub Cover
Cover Type
There are a few types of hot tub covers available today, including hard covers, soft covers, and spa blankets.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2023
Copper sheeting on its hull was peeling away, replaced with a carpet of barnacles and seaweed.
—James Hagengruber, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2023
The pack contains six different types of masks, ranging from hydrating and calming ones to sheet masks that tightens the looks of pores.
—Nikhita Mahtani, CNN Underscored, 9 Sep. 2020
In contrast, actual snow tires are capable of safely gripping any surface a driver may encounter during the winter, from bare pavement, to sheet ice, and anything in between.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2023
Can manufacturers have been relying more on imports of foreign can sheet.
—Bob Tita, WSJ, 11 May 2022
Step 4Add green beans to sheet and toss to combine.
—Kate Merker, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2022
The new plant will supply can sheet to Ball, which has opened four new can plants in recent years, with two more under construction.
—Bob Tita, WSJ, 11 May 2022
Ari Shapiro, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
The interior space is cavernous, large enough for standard sheets of plywood or a futon for a makeshift sleeping area.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
The grey bed sheet wrapped around Maddi, according to a criminal complaint, seemed to match a set found in Maddi's home.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2024
The designer says the pairing was quite organic, as he’s slept on Frette sheets for over 20 years.
—Devorah Lev-Tov Kin Woo Ella Riley-Adams Jameson Montgomery Kurt Soller Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In the photo above, a mini floral duvet and shams ground a medium-sized floral print on the sheets, both of which complement, rather than compete with, the oversized floral wallpaper.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2024
Made from premium bamboo fabric, these sheets are hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and eco-friendly, ensuring a comfortable and restful night's sleep.
—Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024
Using a pencil, trace one end of the box onto the white sheet of paper.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Shower daily before getting into bed and wash your bed sheets frequently.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024
Verb
Some of the larger items that will be exempt from sales taxes include a portable generator with a sales price of $3,000 or less, a tarpaulin or another kind of waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or below, and a ground anchor system totaling $100 or less.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2023
Material: Polyethylene sheeting with EPS foam The 32 Best One-Piece Swimsuits for Women of 2023, Including Mindy Kaling's Pick
Things to Consider Before Buying a Hot Tub Cover
Cover Type
There are a few types of hot tub covers available today, including hard covers, soft covers, and spa blankets.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2023
Copper sheeting on its hull was peeling away, replaced with a carpet of barnacles and seaweed.
—James Hagengruber, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2023
The pack contains six different types of masks, ranging from hydrating and calming ones to sheet masks that tightens the looks of pores.
—Nikhita Mahtani, CNN Underscored, 9 Sep. 2020
In contrast, actual snow tires are capable of safely gripping any surface a driver may encounter during the winter, from bare pavement, to sheet ice, and anything in between.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2023
Can manufacturers have been relying more on imports of foreign can sheet.
—Bob Tita, WSJ, 11 May 2022
Step 4Add green beans to sheet and toss to combine.
—Kate Merker, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2022
The new plant will supply can sheet to Ball, which has opened four new can plants in recent years, with two more under construction.
—Bob Tita, WSJ, 11 May 2022
Noun
Using sheets of wood from the market and steel wire traditionally used for cutting soap, the pair completed their new creation in under a month.
—Ari Shapiro, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
The interior space is cavernous, large enough for standard sheets of plywood or a futon for a makeshift sleeping area.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
The grey bed sheet wrapped around Maddi, according to a criminal complaint, seemed to match a set found in Maddi's home.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2024
The designer says the pairing was quite organic, as he’s slept on Frette sheets for over 20 years.
—Devorah Lev-Tov Kin Woo Ella Riley-Adams Jameson Montgomery Kurt Soller Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In the photo above, a mini floral duvet and shams ground a medium-sized floral print on the sheets, both of which complement, rather than compete with, the oversized floral wallpaper.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2024
Made from premium bamboo fabric, these sheets are hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and eco-friendly, ensuring a comfortable and restful night's sleep.
—Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024
Using a pencil, trace one end of the box onto the white sheet of paper.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Shower daily before getting into bed and wash your bed sheets frequently.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sheet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sheet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheet. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sheet
1 of 3 noun1
: a broad piece of cloth (as an article of bedding used next to the body)
2
a
: a usually rectangular piece of paper
b
: an unbound page of a book
—usually used in plural
c
: a newspaper, magazine, or occasional publication
a gossip sheet
d
: the unseparated postage stamps printed by one impression of a plate on a single piece of paper
also
: pane sense 2
3
: a broad surface of something
a sheet of ice
4
: a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and width
a sheet of iron
sheetlike
adjective
sheet
2 of 3 verb
: to cover with a sheet : shroud
sheet
3 of 3 noun
: a rope or chain that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
Etymology
Noun
Old English scēte, scīete "broad piece of cloth, sheet"
Noun
Old English scēata "lower corner of a sail"
Medical Definition
sheet
noun1
: a broad piece of cloth
especially
: an oblong of usually cotton or linen cloth used as an article of bedding
2
: a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth
a sheet of connective tissue
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