decal

noun

de·​cal ˈdē-ˌkal How to pronounce decal (audio) di-ˈkal How to pronounce decal (audio)
Canadian usually
ˈde-kəl How to pronounce decal (audio)
: a picture, design, or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially prepared paper

Examples of decal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The logos are also on T-shirts, decals, challenge coins and hoodies. Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 Food trucks and exclusive merchandise like bucket hats and team decals were added. Ken Belson Alex Welsh, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 There are more than 50 decals that can go on the bottom of the plate to recognize different wars, military branches and medal designations. Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024 Harbaugh himself had his Michigan helmet littered with decals. Kevin Skiver, Detroit Free Press, 8 Jan. 2024 These versatile decals add a Swiftie touch to not just scrapbooks but also laptops or water bottles. Dhara Patel, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023 On a recent afternoon in Heihe, lines of diesel freight trucks with decals of snarling bears, a symbol of Russia, on their drivers’ doors waited to be driven across an Amur River bridge to Russia. Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2023 Her middle and pinky fingers looked like they were covered with a sheer mint hue and silver decals. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 29 Aug. 2023 There was an entire department dedicated to decals, which were used on the cars, props and signage. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

short for decalcomania

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decal was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near decal

Cite this Entry

“Decal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decal

noun
de·​cal ˈdē-ˌkal How to pronounce decal (audio) di-ˈkal How to pronounce decal (audio)
ˈdek-əl
: a picture, design, or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially prepared paper
Etymology

a shortened form of earlier decalcomania "the art of transferring pictures," from French décalcomanie (same meaning), from décalquer "to copy by tracing" and manie "mania, craze"

More from Merriam-Webster on decal

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