Illustration of fold
- fold 4a
folded; folding; folds
1
: to lay one part over another part of
fold a letter
2
: to reduce the length or bulk of by doubling over
fold a tent
3
: to clasp together : entwine
fold the hands
4
: to clasp or enwrap closely : embrace
5
a
: to incorporate (a food ingredient) into a mixture by repeated gentle overturnings without stirring or beating
b
: to incorporate closely
6
a
: to concede defeat by withdrawing (one's cards) from play (as in poker)
b
: to bring to an end
7
: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into folds
1
: to become doubled or pleated
2
: to fail completely : collapse
especially
: to go out of business
3
: to fold one's cards (as in poker)
1
: a part doubled or laid over another part : pleat
2
: a crease made by folding something (such as a newspaper)
3
: something that is folded together or that enfolds
4
a
: a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative after the depositing or consolidation of the rock
b
chiefly British
: an undulation in the landscape
5
: a margin apparently formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical structure (such as a membrane)
1
a
: a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasm
His former colleagues would be glad to welcome him back into the fold.
b
: a flock of sheep
2
: an enclosure for sheep
folded; folding; folds
: to pen up or confine (sheep) in a fold
1
: multiplied by (a specified number) : times
—in adjectives
a sixfold increase
and adverbsrepay you tenfold
2
: having (so many) parts
threefold aspect of the problem
Synonyms
Examples of fold in a Sentence
Suffix
It will repay you tenfold.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
Bamboo steamer baskets and a giant folding fan decorate the brick-walled dining room, where each table has a guide on how to eat xiaolongbao (place it on your spoon, poke a hole, suck the broth out and eat the rest, with black vinegar or chili oil if desired).
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
With its four wings folded, the 3.3-inch by 7.8-inch device could be carried in a pocket.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Sheriff’s investigators later found Bernstein’s blood on Woodward’s watch, on a folding knife discovered in his desk and on a sleeping bag stashed beside his house.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Romney Folding Coffee Table Buy on Wayfair $301 $105
This folding coffee table is easy to pull out for backyard get-togethers and store when not in use.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2024
Case size: 37 mm Case material: stainless steel Movement: auto-winding in-house mechanical Elite caliber 670 with date
Bracelet: 5-link stainless steel with folding clasp
Price: $7700
Allen Farmelo
Allen is Robb Report's digital watch editor.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Under certain conditions, proteins on the outside of the bacterium fold into amyloids—the same kind of proteins that cause plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
The jacket can be folded up and stowed into the chest pocket — great for your hiking backpack.
—Olivia Avitt, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Follow-up testing was recommended if this fold was thicker than 3mm, because too much thickness there might or might not mean chromosomal or structural abnormalities that might or might not be incompatible with life.
—Clare Beams, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, purchases of its new Chevy Trax, a compact SUV with a starting selling price of just $20,400, jumped almost six fold as part of the company’s push into affordable vehicles.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The organizations highlighted above, each with their own unique offerings and communities, stand ready to welcome entrepreneurs into a fold where collaboration and growth are the norms.
—John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
When playtime is over, the entire set folds up and turns into a backpack with adjustable straps.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 23 Mar. 2024
This 2024 iteration folds in concerns of technological malfeasance evocative of the Cambridge Analytica scandal alongside a resurgent far right and widespread apprehension about the very electoral process.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
Investment increased ten fold in these technologies between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the same period a year prior.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 1 Mar. 2024
The top-secret plan to bring Kate Middleton back into public fold after photo backlash.
—Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
More:Once stuck in places like Myanmar and Laos, refugee children kick-start education at MPS' Newcomer Center
Celebrating students' own cultures
Late in the morning, students folded down their poster boards and took seats to watch dance, choir and drumming performances, as well as a fashion show.
—Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
Bamboo steamer baskets and a giant folding fan decorate the brick-walled dining room, where each table has a guide on how to eat xiaolongbao (place it on your spoon, poke a hole, suck the broth out and eat the rest, with black vinegar or chili oil if desired).
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
With its four wings folded, the 3.3-inch by 7.8-inch device could be carried in a pocket.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Sheriff’s investigators later found Bernstein’s blood on Woodward’s watch, on a folding knife discovered in his desk and on a sleeping bag stashed beside his house.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Romney Folding Coffee Table Buy on Wayfair $301 $105
This folding coffee table is easy to pull out for backyard get-togethers and store when not in use.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2024
Case size: 37 mm Case material: stainless steel Movement: auto-winding in-house mechanical Elite caliber 670 with date
Bracelet: 5-link stainless steel with folding clasp
Price: $7700
Allen Farmelo
Allen is Robb Report's digital watch editor.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Under certain conditions, proteins on the outside of the bacterium fold into amyloids—the same kind of proteins that cause plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
The jacket can be folded up and stowed into the chest pocket — great for your hiking backpack.
—Olivia Avitt, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
Positions are won out there; some guys attack it and do a great job and some guys just flat out fold.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Follow-up testing was recommended if this fold was thicker than 3mm, because too much thickness there might or might not mean chromosomal or structural abnormalities that might or might not be incompatible with life.
—Clare Beams, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, purchases of its new Chevy Trax, a compact SUV with a starting selling price of just $20,400, jumped almost six fold as part of the company’s push into affordable vehicles.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The organizations highlighted above, each with their own unique offerings and communities, stand ready to welcome entrepreneurs into a fold where collaboration and growth are the norms.
—John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
When playtime is over, the entire set folds up and turns into a backpack with adjustable straps.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 23 Mar. 2024
This 2024 iteration folds in concerns of technological malfeasance evocative of the Cambridge Analytica scandal alongside a resurgent far right and widespread apprehension about the very electoral process.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
Investment increased ten fold in these technologies between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the same period a year prior.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 1 Mar. 2024
The top-secret plan to bring Kate Middleton back into public fold after photo backlash.
—Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fold
Cite this Entry
“Fold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fold. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fold
1 of 5 noun1
: a pen for sheep
2
: a group of people with a common faith or interest
fold
2 of 5 verb
: to shut up in a fold
fold
3 of 5 verb1
: to lay one part over or against another part
fold a letter
birds folding their wings
2
: to clasp together
fold the hands
4
: to bend (as a layer of rock) into folds
5
: to add (a food ingredient) to a mixture by gently and repeatedly lifting one part over another
6
: to become doubled or pleated
7
: to fail completely
the business folded
fold
4 of 5 noun1
: a doubling or folding over
2
: a part doubled or laid over another part
3
: a bend produced in rock
-fold
5 of 5 suffixˌfōld,
ˈfōld
1
: multiplied by (a specified number) : times
—in adjectives
a twelvefold increase
and adverbsrepay you tenfold
2
: having (so many) parts
a threefold problem
Etymology
Noun
Old English falod "pen for sheep"
Verb
Old English fealdan "to fold, make double thickness"
Suffix
Old English -feald (suffix) "being increased (so many) times"
Medical Definition
fold
1 of 2 intransitive verb
: to become doubled or pleated
fold
2 of 2 noun
: a margin apparently formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical structure (as a membrane)
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