jacket

[jak-it]

noun

1. a short coat, in any of various forms, usually opening down the front.

2. something designed to be placed around the upper part of the body for a specific purpose other than use as clothing.

   a life jacket.

3. a protective outer covering.

4. the skin of a potato, especially when it has been cooked.

5. book jacket.

6. the cover of a paperbound book, usually bearing an illustration.

7. a paper or cardboard envelope for protecting a phonograph record.

8. a metal casing, as the steel covering of a cannon, the steel cover around the core of a bullet, or the water jacket on certain types of machine guns.

9. a folded paper or open envelope containing an official document.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a jacket on (someone or something).

jacket

/ ˈdʒækɪt /

noun

1. a short coat, esp one that is hip-length and has a front opening and sleeves

2. something that resembles this or is designed to be worn around the upper part of the body

   a life jacket

3. any exterior covering or casing, such as the insulating cover of a boiler

4. the part of the cylinder block of an internal-combustion engine that encloses the coolant

5. See dust jacket

6. 1. the skin of a baked potato

   2. ( as modifier )

      jacket potatoes

7. a metal casing used in certain types of ammunition

8. Brit name: sleeve. a cover to protect a gramophone record

9. a folder or envelope to hold documents

verb

1. (tr) to put a jacket on (someone or something)

Other Word Forms

• jacketed adjective
• jacketless adjective
• jacketlike adjective
• underjacket noun
• unjacketed adjective
• jacket-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacket¹

1425–75; late Middle English jaket < Middle French ja ( c ) quet, equivalent to jaque jack ⁴ + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacket¹

C15: from Old French jaquet short jacket, from jacque peasant, from proper name Jacques James

Example Sentences

I’d suggest a light puffy jacket if there’s no rain in the forecast, and pants and thermal leggings to keep the chill off.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A small group of people — a number of them women in their 60s and 70s with gray braids and top-of-the-line rain jackets — have been congregating here for months to protest the federal immigration crackdown.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A video filmed overnight appeared to show four severely injured men wearing high-visibility jackets receiving treatment inside a tent there.

Read more on BBC

Miscellaneous items include a life jacket for dogs.

Read more on BBC

In the land of the living, Heiyahas fully come into her own and is fashion-forward, adorned with gaudy jewelry, along with a denim jacket and miniskirt.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• coat 
• fur 
• parka 
• sheath 
• tunic