swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling

ˈswäd-liŋ,

ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes

b

: envelop, swathe

legs swaddled in bandages

2

: restrain, restrict

marriage … swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe

—Nina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, the swan was backed up against a median barrier as at least seven people stood nearby, monitoring the situation, before it was swaddled up into a large blanket. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

The look was a one shoulder gown with silk taffeta that swaddled around the body but there was a long train. —Mikelle Street, WWD, 11 Feb. 2025

They’re made with a stretchy mesh material that gently forms to their feet, and have a cushioned midsole that’ll swaddle their feet in cozy support. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025

So the shepherds, who watched after these animals, wrapped their legs with strips of cloth, aka swaddling cloths, to protect them from injury. —Lauren Green, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swaddle

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• model
• twaddle
• waddle
• remodel

Kids Definition

swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes