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

Immigration lawyers point out that the action is not a blanket suspension of green card applications for all employers, but a targeted enforcement freeze on the Permanent Labor Certification program for the eight named corporations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

The government clarified it does not seek a blanket ban on the glasses.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

"We do not believe additional blanket inspections are necessary. There is already a comprehensive framework of regulation, building control, warranties and builder quality assurance in place."

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Add these 13 to your watchlist for when temperatures drop and you want to get cozy on the couch under a blanket.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

I wrapped Sky in a blanket, Mr. McCall gave her a pill, and I put her on the plane.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

"We've got electric blankets on every bed. We've got electric blankets on the sofa. We...only really turn heating on when it's absolutely necessary," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Knitting is no longer limited to making familiar items such as sweaters, hats, and blankets.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

Outside, men sat in groups, some draped in blankets, while others carrying shovels and wearing mining boots appeared to be returning from nearby shafts.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

She also suggests "adding layers of texture through cushions, throws and blankets" thinking about mixing materials like velvet, boucle or chunky knits.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

She motions over her shoulder to several overlapped blankets.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

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