silk

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons
especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles
2
: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk filaments
3
a
: a garment of silk
b(1)
: a distinctive silk gown worn by a King's or Queen's Counsel
(2)
: a King's or Queen's Counsel
c
silks plural : the colored cap and blouse of a jockey or harness horse driver made in the registered racing color of the employing stable
4
a
: a filament resembling silk
especially : one produced by a spider
b
: silky material
milkweed silk
especially : the styles of an ear of corn
5
silklike adjective

silk

2 of 2

verb

silked; silking; silks

intransitive verb

of corn
: to develop the silk

Examples of silk in a Sentence

Noun a variety of silks and satins The robe has butterflies embroidered in silk on the sleeves. the silk of a spider's web
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.
Noun
Basically, with a few clever styling choices, Holmes found a way to make pajamas appropriate for a night out in New York City, trading a silk nightgown for a slip skirt and casual Uggs for a cross between a loafer and traditional house slipper. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Nov. 2024 Made with silk proteins and hibiscus flower extract, the shampoo strengthens the hair while giving it a satiny sheen. Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
The company’s woven viscose bamboo threads are similar to silk and cashmere, offering luxury while remaining earth-friendly. Jean Chen Smith, Cincinnati.com, 13 May 2020 In the end, a pink silked jockey named Javier Castellano rode City of Light in a victory that won him the the $9 million Pegasus World Cup and Chad Brown rode Bricks and Mortar to win the over $6 million prize Pegasus World Cup Turf. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2019 See all Example Sentences for silk 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English seolc, sioluc, probably ultimately from Greek sērikos silken — more at sericeous

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silk was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near silk

Cite this Entry

“Silk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silk. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

silk

noun
ˈsilk
1
: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually to form their cocoons
especially : a strong glossy elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used to weave cloth
2
: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk
3
: something resembling silk: as
a
: the thread produced by a spider
b
: the cluster of thin threadlike parts at the end of an ear of corn that are styles of the ovaries

Medical Definition

silk

noun
1
: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons
especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles
2
: strands of silk thread of various thicknesses used as suture material in surgery
surgical silk

More from Merriam-Webster on silk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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