swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
swaddled; swaddling
ˈswäd-liŋ,
ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce swaddle (audio)

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 loatheNina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.
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.
The implication of Drake’s observation was undeniable: massive, intense radiation belts swaddled the planet, effectively forming a kill zone for unshielded spacecraft. Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024 Consuelos then laid down and crossed his arms while Ripa, uh, swaddled him in the cloth. EW.com, 26 Sep. 2024 The 34-year-old actor wore the same swaddling Leset coat in the city on Friday—that time with brown cords by Essentiel Antwerp—before taking her short film, Loser Baby, to TIFF in the very back-to-business combination of blue jeans, a berry manicure and a Gucci monogram blazer, again in brown. Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2024 The collection starts at just $12 and includes pieces to swaddle and cozy up with babies ranging from premature size to 5 years old, plus there’s even a matching robe for mom in two iconic prints seen throughout the collection. Ariel Scotti, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swaddle 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of swaddle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near swaddle

Cite this Entry

“Swaddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swaddle. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

swaddle

verb
swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on swaddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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