cocoon

American  

[kuh-koon] / kəˈkun /

noun

1. the silky envelope spun by the larvae of many kinds of insects, as silkworms, serving as a covering for the insect during its stage as a pupa.

2. any of various similar protective coverings in nature, as the silky case in which certain spiders enclose their eggs.

3. a protective covering, usually consisting of polyvinyl chloride, sprayed over machinery, large guns on board ships, etc., to provide an airtight seal and prevent rust during long periods of storage.

4. any encompassingly protective or hermetic wrapping or enclosure resembling a cocoon.

   a cocoon of gauze.

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verb (used without object)

1. to produce a cocoon.

2. to spend time at home rather than going out to socialize, especially when enjoying comforting, quiet leisure activities or entertainment.

   After a certain age you realize you’d rather skip the club and just cocoon with the hubby, watching a movie on the sofa.

verb (used with object)

1. to wrap or enclose tightly, as if in a cocoon.

   The doctor cocooned the patient in blankets.

2. to provide (machinery, guns, etc.) with a protective, airtight covering by spraying with polyvinyl chloride or the like.

3. to envelop or surround protectively; insulate.

   a political leader cocooned by his staff and his bodyguards.

cocoon British  

/ kəˈkuːn /

noun

1. 1. a silky protective envelope secreted by silkworms and certain other insect larvae, in which the pupae develop

   2. a similar covering for the eggs of the spider, earthworm, etc

2. a protective spray covering used as a seal on machinery

3. a cosy warm covering

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verb

1. (tr) to wrap in a cocoon

cocoon Scientific  

/ kə-ko̅o̅n′ /

1. A case or covering of silky strands spun by an insect larva and inhabited for protection during its pupal stage.

2. A similar protective structure, such as the egg cases made by spiders or earthworms.

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Other Word Forms

• cocoonlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cocoon

First recorded in 1690–1700; from French cocon, from Provençal coucoun “eggshell,” equivalent to coco “shell” (from Latin coccum; cochineal ) + French -on diminutive suffix

Explanation

A cocoon is a silky web spun around the larvae of many insects. Caterpillars emerge from their cocoons as beautiful butterflies. The word cocoon can also refer to a form of self-protection for humans. For some people, their house is a cocoon, a cozy retreat from which they can escape the world. They cocoon themselves away for a whole weekend, reading, watching TV, and not answering email or the phone. Another word for cocoon is chrysalis, but only in the context of insects.

Example Sentences

"They are undergoing tremendous transformation, and we need to approach them as someone who is coming outside of a cocoon and becoming something different."

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The company lays the deceased in a coffin-like container it calls a cocoon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

They open the infected pupa's cocoon, create small cuts in its outer surface, and apply formic acid, a natural antimicrobial compound produced by the workers themselves.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

During Thanksgiving week, from the soft neutral cocoon of my parents’ guest room, I burrowed into an impulsive rewatch of the BBC “Sherlock” — yes, the Benedict Cumberbatch era, all sculptural cheekbones and good outerwear.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

It was completely dark and everything outside was calm, like the snow had formed a cocoon over the world.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez

Related Words

• swaddle
• swathe