mesh

American  

[mesh] / mɛʃ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

meshes, present (3rd person singular) meshed, past participle, past meshing present participle

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)

meshes, present (3rd person singular) meshed, past participle, past meshing present participle

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 British  

/ 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

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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

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has meshed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have meshed
  perfect
• has been meshing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am meshing
  progressive 1st person singular
• is meshing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are meshing
  progressive
• have been meshing
  perfect progressive
• meshing
  participle
• meshes
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had meshed
  perfect
• was meshing
  progressive singular
• were meshing
  progressive plural
• had been meshing
  perfect progressive
• meshed
  participle
• meshed
  simple

Future

• will mesh
  simple
• will have meshed
  perfect
• will have been meshing
  perfect progressive
• will be meshing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of mesh

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

Explanation

Use the word mesh for fabric made of loosely woven fibers. A butterfly net is made of mesh, and so is a window screen. Some mesh is made from string or fabric, like a fishing net or a mesh sports jersey, while other mesh is metal or plastic, like a tea strainer. In either case, it's woven loosely enough that there are small holes throughout its surface. Another meaning of mesh is "harmonize" or "work well together." In the fourteenth century, it was spelled mesche, and it meant "open space in a net," from the Old English word for net, max.

Example Sentences

"The hairs are flexible enough that the particles have more freedom to shift, but they also fit together nicely, which allows the particles to mesh together."

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

Finally, I always linger by the discount produce section, where mesh bags of slightly bruised or cosmetically wonky fruits and vegetables wait in cheerful little piles.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

Her final garment is a three-piece set combining a lycra sports bra with a mesh cutout, a layered lace tennis skirt and a cropped sherpa jacket.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

“It has trail-specific innovations that help runners feel confident stepping off the pavement,” says Brenden McAleese, director of ACG Footwear, of the sticky rubber outsole and quick-draining mesh upper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

People would look at the wiry frame and wonder if it would hold them, and then look at the mesh and wonder if it could ever be comfortable.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

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