# sheath

/ˈʃiθ/ (US) · /ʃˈiːθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sheath
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. cover for a blade

noun · CEFR B2

a protective case for a sword, knife, or other sharp blade.

For teachers: a close-fitting cover for a blade, traditionally made of leather or metal.

- The hunter slid his knife back into its leather sheath after cleaning the fish.
- The ceremonial sword was housed in a gold-plated sheath, intricately engraved with scenes from the kingdom's history.

### 2. cable insulation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the outer layer of plastic or rubber that protects an electrical wire.

For teachers: the protective outer covering of an electrical cable or wire, providing insulation and mechanical protection.

- The electrician noticed that the plastic sheath of the wire was cracked.
- Heavy-duty industrial cables require a reinforced sheath to withstand the extreme temperatures and friction of the factory floor.

### 3. a style of dress

noun · CEFR B2

a type of tight-fitting dress that follows the shape of a woman's body.

For teachers: a close-fitting, straight-cut dress, often sleeveless and typically ending near the knee.

- She wore a simple black sheath dress to the cocktail party.
- The designer's spring collection featured silk sheath dresses that emphasised a minimalist silhouette through precise tailoring.

### 4. plant or animal covering

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a natural covering on a plant or animal, like the base of a leaf on a stem.

For teachers: an enveloping tubular structure, such as the base of a grass leaf or a protective membrane in animal anatomy.

- In many types of grass, the leaf forms a sheath around the stem.
- The nerve fibres are protected by a myelin sheath, which is essential for the rapid transmission of electrical impulses.

### 5. a condom

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a rubber cover used during sex for protection.

For teachers: a contraceptive device worn over the penis.

- The clinic provides free sheaths and health advice to young adults.
- Public health campaigns in the 1980s often used the term sheath as a more formal or clinical alternative to common slang.

Teaching tip: This term is somewhat dated or clinical in many regions; 'condom' is the standard term used in modern English.

## Examples

- He slides the sharp knife back into its leather sheath.
- The biologist examined the protective sheath surrounding the plant's stem under a microscope.
- The warrior drew his sword from its ornate silver sheath, the metal glinting under the harsh midday sun as he prepared for the coming confrontation.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.