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sweatshirt

American  
[swet-shurt] / ˈswɛtˌʃɜrt /
Or sweat shirt

noun

  1. a loose, long-sleeved, collarless pullover of soft, absorbent fabric, as cotton jersey, with close-fitting or elastic cuffs and sometimes a drawstring at the waist, commonly worn during athletic activity for warmth or to induce sweating.


sweatshirt British  
/ ˈswɛtˌʃɜːt /

noun

  1. a long-sleeved knitted cotton sweater worn by athletes, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sweatshirt

First recorded in 1920–25; sweat + shirt

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I’ll throw a hooded sweatshirt in my backpack, too, especially if it’s going to be windy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Early in McMurtry’s career, a paramour gave him a sweatshirt that read “Minor Regional Novelist.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

She was clad in a sweatshirt and bleary from the early hour.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Luo wore a long-sleeved sweatshirt, pants, and head covering in the chamber.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

Boaz rose to his feet, trying in vain to wipe the dirt from his trouser legs and the sleeves of his sweatshirt.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny