mesh

[mesh]

noun

1. any knit, woven, or knotted fabric of open texture.

2. an interwoven or intertwined structure; network.

   Synonyms: grid, screen, grill, netting, web

3. any arrangement of interlocking metal links or wires with evenly spaced, uniform small openings between, as used in jewelry or sieves.

4. one of the open spaces between the cords or ropes of a net.

5. meshes,

   1. the threads that bind such spaces.

   2. the means of catching or holding fast.

      to be caught in the meshes of the law.

6. Machinery.,  the engagement of gear teeth.

7. Electricity.,  a set of branches that forms a closed path in a network so that removal of a branch results in an open path.

8. Metallurgy.,  a designation of a given fineness of powder used in powder metallurgy in terms of the number of the finest screen through which almost all the particles will pass.

   This powder is 200 mesh.

verb (used with object)

1. to catch or entangle in or as if in a net; enmesh.

2. to form with meshes, as a net.

3. Machinery.,  to engage, as gear teeth.

4. to cause to match, coordinate, or interlock.

   They tried to mesh their vacation plans.

verb (used without object)

1. to become enmeshed.

2. Machinery.,  to become or be engaged, as the teeth of one gear with those of another.

3. to match, coordinate, or interlock.

   The two versions of the story don't mesh.

mesh

/ mɛʃ /

noun

1. a network; net

2. an open space between the strands of a network

3. (often plural) the strands surrounding these spaces

4. anything that ensnares, or holds like a net

   the mesh of the secret police

5. the engagement of teeth on interacting gearwheels

   the gears are in mesh

6. a measure of spacing of the strands of a mesh or grid, expressed as the distance between strands for coarse meshes or a number of strands per unit length for fine meshes

verb

1. to entangle or become entangled

2. (of gear teeth) to engage or cause to engage

3. to coordinate (with)

   to mesh with a policy

4. to work or cause to work in harmony

Other Word Forms

• intermesh verb (used without object)
• mismesh verb
• unmesh verb (used with object)
• meshy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesh¹

1375–1425; late Middle English mesch, apparently continuing Old English masc, max; akin to Old High German māsca, Middle Dutch maesche

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesh¹

C16: probably from Dutch maesche; related to Old English masc, Old High German masca

Example Sentences

The lab, where they are tested, is the size of a five-a-side football pitch with a mesh of multi-coloured wires and deep blue blinking lights.

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The collection was then tucked away into FIDM’s archives until Frank’s colleague posted one of the blazers on Instagram, highlighting the garment’s mesh of “Victorian-style piecework and embroidery with precision mitered tailoring.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A burka is a one-piece veil that covers the face and body, often leaving just a mesh screen to see through.

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The design also weaves Loewe’s pebble texture and On’s signature semitranslucent mesh, bound together with drawstring elastic laces for an athletic shoe with luxury flair.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The charity, which along with the Northumberland National Park Authority looks after the site by Hadrian's Wall, has added a protective cage of wire mesh netting to the fenced-off stump to protect it.

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Related Words

• coincide 
• combine 
• coordinate 
• dovetail 
• fit 
• harmonize 
• knit