horsehair

American  

[hawrs-hair] / ˈhɔrsˌhɛər /

noun

1. a hair or the hair of a horse, especially from the mane or tail.

2. a sturdy, glossy fabric woven of this hair.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to horsehair.

   a horsehair mattress.

horsehair British  

/ ˈhɔːsˌhɛə /

noun

1. 1. hair taken chiefly from the tail or mane of a horse, used in upholstery and for fabric, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a horsehair mattress

---

Other Word Forms

• horsehaired adjective

Etymology

Origin of horsehair

First recorded in 1275–1325, horsehair is from Middle English hors here. See horse, hair

Example Sentences

Benn was approved to use firmer horsehair gloves instead of foam padding and an 18ft ring was used instead of the standard 20ft - both of which suited his explosive style.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2025

Their complex armor is laden with fur, horsehair or leather, which was hand painted to look like scuffed metal, but weigh much less.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2024

The matured horsehair worm finally induces the host to jump into water, often to the host's ultimate demise, so it can complete its life mission and reproduce.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

They focused on horsehair or gordian worms, a group of parasitic animals related to nematodes.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 19, 2023

Farther on, two legions from New Ghis were facing off shield wall to shield wall whilst seijeants in iron halfhelms with horsehair crests screamed commands in their own incomprehensible dialect.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin