Illustration of feather
- A-1 quill
- A-2 vane; B-1 barb
- B-2 barbule
- B-3 barbicel with hamulus
1
a
: any of the light, horny, epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds
Note: Feathers include the smaller down feathers and the larger contour and flight feathers. Larger feathers consist of a shaft (rachis) bearing branches (barbs) which bear smaller branches (barbules). These smaller branches bear tiny hook-bearing processes (barbicels) which interlock with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous stiff vane. Down feathers lack barbules, resulting in fluffy feathers which provide insulation below the contour feathers.
b
archaic
: plume sense 2a
c
: the vane of an arrow
2
4
: a projecting strip, rib, fin, or flange
5
: a feathery flaw in the eye or in a precious stone
6
: the act of feathering an oar
featherless
adjective
feathered; feathering
ˈfet͟h-riŋ 
ˈfe-t͟hə-
1
a
: to furnish (something, such as an arrow) with a feather
b
: to cover, clothe, or adorn with or as if with feathers
2
a
: to turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal when lifting from the water at the end of a stroke to reduce air resistance
b(1)
: to change the angle of (airplane propeller blades) so that the chords become approximately parallel to the line of flight
also
: to change the angle of airplane propeller blades of (an engine) in such a manner
(2)
: to change the angle of (a rotor blade of a rotorcraft) periodically in forward flight
3
: to reduce the edge of to a featheredge
4
a
of a bird
: to cut (the air) with a wing
b
of a fish
: to cut (the water) with a fin
5
: to join by a tongue and groove
6
: to hit, throw, pass, or shoot softly and usually with precision
feathered a perfect lob over the net
Synonyms
Examples of feather in a Sentence
Noun
they are a very sports-minded couple, and most of their friends are of the same feather
prom couples strutted into the ballroom in full feather
Recent Examples on the Web
Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
London’s Harry Styles event saw 12 foppish men in feather boas, Gucci flares, and floppy haircuts vying for the prize.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024
Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Williams’ best throw was probably his 22-yard completion to Cole Kmet in the fourth quarter, a beautiful ball feathered over the top of linebacker Christian Rozeboom in the middle of the field.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feather 
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Noun
The Best-of-Show winner at Santa Fe was a reproduction of a weapon set carefully crafted with natural materials like knapped flint, turkey feathers, yucca cord and juniper branches commemorating the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 by Acoma Pueblo artist Dan Vallo.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
London’s Harry Styles event saw 12 foppish men in feather boas, Gucci flares, and floppy haircuts vying for the prize.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
The smooth, creamy formula glides on effortlessly, ensuring your lip color stays in place and doesn’t feather.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Williams’ best throw was probably his 22-yard completion to Cole Kmet in the fourth quarter, a beautiful ball feathered over the top of linebacker Christian Rozeboom in the middle of the field.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feather
Dictionary Entries Near feather
Cite this Entry
“Feather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feather. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feather
1 of 2 noun
feath·er
ˈfet͟h-ər
1
: one of the light horny growths that make up the outer covering of the body of a bird
2
a
: kind entry 1 sense 1, nature
birds of a feather
b
: clothing sense 1, dress
in full feather
c
: condition entry 1 sense 5b, mood
in fine feather
feather
2 of 2 verb
feathered; feathering
ˈfet͟h-(ə-)riŋ
1
a
: to provide (as an arrow) with a feather
b
: to cover, clothe, or adorn with feathers
2
a
: to turn (an oar blade) parallel to the water when lifting from the water at the end of a stroke
b
: to change the angle of (airplane propeller blades) to reduce air resistance
also
: to change the angle of airplane propeller blades of (an engine) in such a manner
3
: to grow feathers
4
: to move, spread, or grow like feathers
Medical Definition
feather
noun
feath·er
ˈfet͟h-ər
: one of the light horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds and that consist of a shaft bearing on each side a series of barbs which bear barbules which in turn bear barbicels commonly ending in the hooked processes and interlocking with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous vane
Geographical Definition
Feather
geographical name
Feath·er
ˈfe-t͟hər
river 100 miles (161 kilometers) long in north central California flowing south into the Sacramento River
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