blanket

American  

[blang-kit] / ˈblæŋ kɪt /

noun

• blankets
  plural

1. a large, rectangular piece of soft fabric, often with bound edges, used especially for warmth as a bed covering.

2. a similar piece of fabric used as a covering for a horse, dog, etc.

3. the chief garment traditionally worn by some American Indians.

4. any extended covering or layer.

   a blanket of snow.

   Synonyms:

   coating, overlay, mantel, coat, cover

5. Printing.

   1. (in a press for offset printing) the rubber-covered cylinder to which an inked impression is transferred from the plate for transfer directly to the paper.

   2. (in a press for letterpress printing) the resilient covering on the cylinder against which the paper is pressed in printing.

6. a thick roll or strip of material for thermal insulation.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover with or as with a blanket.

   wild flowers blanketing the hillside.

2. to obscure or obstruct; interfere with; overpower (usually followed byout ).

   An electrical storm blanketed out the radio program.

3. to toss (someone) in a blanket, as in fraternity hazing.

4. Nautical. (of a vessel) to take wind from the sails of (another vessel) by passing closely to windward.

adjective

1. covering or intended to cover a large group or class of things, conditions, situations, etc..

   a blanket proposal; a blanket indictment.

idioms

1. born on the wrong side of the blanket, born out of wedlock.

blanket British  

/ ˈblæŋkɪt /

noun

1. a large piece of thick cloth for use as a bed covering, animal covering, etc, enabling a person or animal to retain natural body heat

2. a concealing cover or layer, as of smoke, leaves, or snow

3. a rubber or plastic sheet wrapped round a cylinder, used in offset printing to transfer the image from the plate, stone, or forme to the paper

4. physics a layer of a fertile substance placed round the core of a nuclear reactor as a reflector or absorber and often to breed new fissionable fuel

5. (modifier) applying to or covering a wide group or variety of people, conditions, situations, etc

   blanket insurance against loss, injury, and theft

6. informal illegitimate

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verb

1. to cover with or as if with a blanket; overlie

2. to cover a very wide area, as in a publicity campaign; give blanket coverage

3. (usually foll by out) to obscure or suppress

   the storm blanketed out the TV picture

4. nautical to prevent wind from reaching the sails of (another sailing vessel) by passing to windward of it

blanket More Idioms  

1. see security blanket; wet blanket.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• blanketless
  adjective
• blanketlike
  adjective
• unblanketed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• blankets
  plural

Etymology

Origin of blanket

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent to blanc white ( see blank) + -et -et

Explanation

A blanket is a large piece of material that keeps you warm when you're in bed or taking a nap on the couch. Many small children have a favorite blanket that provides not just warmth, but comfort. There is the knitted blanket on your bed, and then there's the blanket of snow that covers your yard in January. Any heavy layer can be described this way: "After a windy day, there was suddenly a blanket of leaves outside." You can use it as a verb, too: "The fog descended and began to blanket the whole town." The Old French root is blanchet, "light wool or flannel cloth," from blanc, "white" or "white cloth."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blanket blankets

The grill leans into comfort foods and Americana with crab cakes, spinach artichoke dip, a Lucas-favorite chopped salad, jumbo-prawn cocktails, mac and cheese, and pigs in a blanket.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

WSJ | Buy Side: You’ll catch our editor wrapped up in this Cocoon blanket all fall and winter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

In response, Givan said it was about not taking a blanket approach, adding that "those struggling to make end meets" should not be disadvantaged because they work.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

There were all the holiday parties at which I’d casually orbit the appetizer table for a second pig in a blanket.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

There was water, a tiny bit of food, a worn blanket on the floor.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

When the BBC visited some in June, dozens of families were seen lying on blankets on the floor, and one hospital said it was operating at more than double its capacity.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Nepal's Red Cross has begun providing emergency relief, including food, water, hygiene kits, mattresses and blankets.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

According to the simulations, the same collision could also have generated the regolith that now blankets much of the moon.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

They’re styling their homes with pumpkin decor and cozy blankets, showing off fall outfits and partaking in fall drink menus at coffee shops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

But at last we spread our blankets over the squirming straw and sat on them.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• carpet
• cloak
• coat
• coating
• comforter
• layer
• mat
• quilt
• rug
• sheet