Swiss cheese

American  

noun

1. a firm, pale-yellow cheese made originally in Switzerland, typically made from cow's milk and having many holes.

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Swiss cheese British  

noun

1. a hard white or pale yellow cheese with holes, such as Gruyère or Emmenthal

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Etymology

Origin of Swiss cheese

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

The Grand Canyon's largest springs are fed by karst systems, which Sankey compares to "Swiss cheese" because of the numerous holes, channels, and openings in the rock.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

Starting in 2023, they tore out its center and moved steel girders until they resembled Swiss cheese.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

No, that is cheesy — that’s full-on global-phenomenon Swiss cheese.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Unite leader Sharon Graham expressed concern Labour's plan had too many caveats, with "more holes in it than Swiss cheese".

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2024

I can’t tell you much about where I am—the censors turn most letters into Swiss cheese as it is—but I hope I can come back someday.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson