swansdown

noun

swans·​down ˈswänz-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce swansdown (audio)
1
: the soft downy feathers of the swan often used as trimming on articles of dress
2
: a heavy cotton flannel that has a thick nap on the face and is made with sateen weave

Examples of swansdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s a lot more to like at Ninja, like delicate little Shumai, dumplings stuffed with minced shrimp, soft and light as swansdown. Beth Segal, cleveland, 3 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swansdown was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near swansdown

Cite this Entry

“Swansdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swansdown. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!