blanket

[ blang-kit ]

/ ˈblæŋ kɪt /

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See synonyms for: blanket / blanketed / blanketing on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

the chief garment traditionally worn by some American Indians.

any extended covering or layer: a blanket of snow.

Printing.

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

a thick roll or strip of material for thermal insulation.

verb (used with object)

to cover with or as with a blanket: wild flowers blanketing the hillside.

to obscure or obstruct; interfere with; overpower (usually followed by out): An electrical storm blanketed out the radio program.

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

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

adjective

covering or intended to cover a large group or class of things, conditions, situations, etc.: a blanket proposal; a blanket indictment.

OTHER WORDS FOR blanket

4 cover, coat, mantel, overlay, coating.

See synonyms for blanket on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about blanket

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

Origin of blanket

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

OTHER WORDS FROM blanket

blan·ket·less, adjectiveblan·ket·like, adjectiveun·blan·ket·ed, adjective

Words nearby blanket

blankbook, blank cartridge, blank check, blank cheque, blank endorsement, blanket, blanket bath, blanket bog, blanket chest, blanket finish, blanket-flower

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use blanket in a sentence

Among the 160 items, you’ll get a CPR mask, metal tweezer, eye wash, emergency blanket, knuckle adhesive bandages, and plenty of cotton tip applicators.
The best first aid kits for staying safe and prepared|PopSci Commerce Team|September 4, 2020|Popular-Science
Whereas something like Starlink seeks to blanket the planet with many more satellites orbiting at a closer distance, satellites in higher orbits have a larger communications footprint, meaning each can cover more of the Earth.
Satellite mega-constellations risk ruining astronomy forever|Neel Patel|September 2, 2020|MIT Technology Review
In recent years, artists have begun asserting clauses that exclude the use of songs at political rallies from the blanket licensing regimes.
Trump and ‘Hallelujah’: Why it’s so hard to stop campaigns from playing songs, even when artists object|Jeff|August 31, 2020|Fortune
After running on an extreme sleep deficit for several pandemic months in a row, I decided to give in to the weighted blanket craze and did hours of research on which one was the right fit for me.
The best things I bought in August|Rachel Schallom|August 30, 2020|Fortune

So, a blanket statement of just quarantine might not be enough to keep potential carriers in lockdown.
The CDC’s new COVID-19 testing guidelines could make the pandemic worse|Sara Kiley Watson|August 27, 2020|Popular-Science
Aside from a blanket ban, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit are nearly impossible to control.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Have you noticed there are some people who would love to put a big wet blanket on all of this?
Kirk Cameron Saves Christmas from Abominable Killjoys (Other Christians)|Brandy Zadrozny|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He would have preferred to have been given a bed rather than a blanket on the floor,” the judge said.
What It’s Like to Be Snatched by the Delta Force|Michael Daly|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The correct procedure in that case is obvious: you cover her with a blanket and leave her alone.
‘The Fappening’ Perpetuators Have a J.Law Come-to-Jesus Moment and ‘Cower With Shame’|Marlow Stern|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, the act that gives blanket immunity seems only to apply to licensed dealers.
Victim’s Parents Sue Merchants of the Aurora Massacre|Cliff Schecter|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He swerved as he passed it, and, looking, saw that it was a bundle wrapped in a striped blanket.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
And, old ink pot, tuck a horse blanket under my chin, and rub me down with brickbats while I feed!
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
They entered a house where an apparently sick man sat cowering in a corner, wrapped in a blanket.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
On these occasions he was wrapped in an old blanket ingrained with snuff.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Oliver retained his stool by the fire; and Barney, wrapped in a blanket, stretched himself on the floor, close outside the fender.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for blanket

blanket

/ (ˈblæŋkɪt) /

noun

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

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

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

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

(modifier) applying to or covering a wide group or variety of people, conditions, situations, etcblanket insurance against loss, injury, and theft

born on the wrong side of the blanket informal illegitimate

verb (tr)

to cover with or as if with a blanket; overlie

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

(usually foll by out) to obscure or suppressthe storm blanketed out the TV picture

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

Word Origin for blanket

C13: from Old French blancquete, from blanc; see blank

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with blanket

blanket

see security blanket; wet blanket.

blanket

OTHER WORDS FOR blanket

Idioms about blanket

Origin of blanket

OTHER WORDS FROM blanket

Words nearby blanket

Words related to blanket

How to use blanket in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blanket

Word Origin for blanket

Other Idioms and Phrases with blanket