jacket

[jak-it]

noun

1. a short coat, in any of various forms, usually opening down the front.

2. something designed to be placed around the upper part of the body for a specific purpose other than use as clothing.

   a life jacket.

3. a protective outer covering.

4. the skin of a potato, especially when it has been cooked.

5. book jacket.

6. the cover of a paperbound book, usually bearing an illustration.

7. a paper or cardboard envelope for protecting a phonograph record.

8. a metal casing, as the steel covering of a cannon, the steel cover around the core of a bullet, or the water jacket on certain types of machine guns.

9. a folded paper or open envelope containing an official document.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a jacket on (someone or something).

jacket

/ ˈdʒækɪt /

noun

1. a short coat, esp one that is hip-length and has a front opening and sleeves

2. something that resembles this or is designed to be worn around the upper part of the body

   a life jacket

3. any exterior covering or casing, such as the insulating cover of a boiler

4. the part of the cylinder block of an internal-combustion engine that encloses the coolant

5. See dust jacket

6. 1. the skin of a baked potato

   2. ( as modifier )

      jacket potatoes

7. a metal casing used in certain types of ammunition

8. Brit name: sleeve. a cover to protect a gramophone record

9. a folder or envelope to hold documents

verb

1. (tr) to put a jacket on (someone or something)

Other Word Forms

• jacketed adjective
• jacketless adjective
• jacketlike adjective
• underjacket noun
• unjacketed adjective
• jacket-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacket¹

1425–75; late Middle English jaket < Middle French ja ( c ) quet, equivalent to jaque jack ⁴ + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacket¹

C15: from Old French jaquet short jacket, from jacque peasant, from proper name Jacques James

Example Sentences

Demonstrating the instrument, he removes his bracelets and jacket, steadies his breath, rests his chin on the violin as if preparing for impact.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A conservative who favors blue jackets and a roomy handbag, she vowed on taking office to “work like a horse” to revitalize Japan’s economy and burnish the country’s global prestige.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

During another White House meeting in October, Zelenskyy wore a sober black jacket and received the president’s ultimate compliment: “I think he looks beautiful in his jacket. I hope people notice.”

Read more on Salon

Barker wore a Spencer Hart tuxedo jacket to Tuesday evening’s auction, but he was back in his usual suit on Thursday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some sections developed their own microclimates due to the flow of air conditioning, forcing delegates to rummage around for jackets to keep warm.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coat 
• fur 
• parka 
• sheath 
• tunic