satchel
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of satchel
1300–50; Middle English sachel < Old French < Latin saccellus, double diminutive of saccus sack 1; see -elle
Explanation
A satchel is a bag with a shoulder strap. People often carry their books in a leather satchel. There are many types of luggage people use for carrying their belongings, such as suitcases, briefcases, purses, backpacks, and duffel bags. Another is the satchel, which is a small or medium-sized case with a flat bottom. A satchel usually has a shoulder strap which makes it easier to carry, and it's often full of books. The word satchel is related to sack, both coming from the Latin root saccus, or "bag."
Vocabulary lists containing satchel
The Diary of Anne Frank
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The Devil's Arithmetic
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A Lesson Before Dying
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to use their mail satchel as a shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
Not necessarily a designer one, but a handbag with a strong sense of itself — an acid-green baguette bag, a wicker orb with a padlock, a cheetah-print apothecary satchel.
From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025
A mask, clothing and a satchel seen in surveillance footage from Providence was found in his car parked outside.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
Peggy Jo nodded, stuck the money into a satchel, and walked out of the bank.
From Slate • Nov. 15, 2025
Miss Ann Burras squints her eyes, scowls, and ignores the men who are jostling one another to have a chance to carry her satchel.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
