Swiss cheese

American  

noun

• Swiss cheeses
  plural

1. a firm, pale-yellow cheese made originally in Switzerland, typically made from cow's milk and having many holes.

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Swiss cheese British  

noun

1. a hard white or pale yellow cheese with holes, such as Gruyère or Emmenthal

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Swiss cheeses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of Swiss cheese

First recorded in 1815–25

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Swiss cheese

The Grand Canyon's largest springs are fed by karst systems, which Sankey compares to "Swiss cheese" because of the numerous holes, channels, and openings in the rock.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 2, 2026

Gohl treated himself to a Jersey Mike’s sub, the No. 9 with turkey, roast beef and Swiss cheese, for around $12.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025

He said the various bank holidays had turned the month of May into a gruyère - a Swiss cheese full of holes - although he added he was open to other suggestions.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2025

To a certain extent, the Swiss cheese approach in these cases makes sense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2024

They had more holes than a wheel of Swiss cheese.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

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