zipper

1 of 2

noun

zip·​per ˈzi-pər 

: a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together

zipper

2 of 2

verb

zippered; zippering; zippers

transitive verb

: zip entry 5

Examples of zipper in a Sentence

Noun

The zipper was stuck and we couldn't open the suitcase.

Can you help him with his zipper?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But none regarding the excavation of urinals in a stadium built a year before the zipper was invented, nor how expensive that removal will cost. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

Although they aren’t marketed as compression cubes, these organizers have a wrap-around expansion zipper that can be used to compress soft items or provide you with more space when needed. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025

Verb

There are also multiple interior zippered and slip pockets to store small items, as well as two side water bottle pockets and a front zippered pocket to give easy access to essential items. —Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025

And that implied that feathers were first tubular, then a tuft, then a vein, a flat surface — but not integrated — and then a vein that zippered together. —Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from Zipper, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zipper

• chipper
• clipper
• dipper
• flipper
• gripper
• kipper
• nipper
• ripper
• shipper
• skipper
• slipper
• stripper

Kids Definition

zipper

noun

zip·​per

ˈzip-ər

: a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together

zippered

-ərd

adjective

Etymology

Noun

from Zipper, a former trademark