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.

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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

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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

These results indicate that horsehair worms produce their own proteins for manipulating their hosts' nervous systems.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

Adult horsehair worms look about how you’d expect given their name: They’re long, noodlelike creatures that resemble wiggling horse hairs.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 19, 2023

Flora watched as one of the jelly blobs on Ulysses's whiskers trembled and fell in slow motion to the horsehair sofa.

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo