herringbone

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a pattern made up of rows of parallel lines which in any two adjacent rows slope in opposite directions
2
a
: a twilled fabric with a herringbone pattern
also : a suit made of this fabric
b
: a herringbone arrangement (as of materials or parts)
3
: a method in skiing of ascending a slope by toeing out on skis and placing the weight on the inner side

Illustration of herringbone

Illustration of herringbone
  • herringbone 1

herringbone

2 of 2

verb

herringboned; herringboning; herringbones

transitive verb

1
: to produce a herringbone pattern on
2
: to arrange in a herringbone pattern

intransitive verb

1
: to produce a herringbone pattern
2
: to ascend a slope by toeing out on skis and placing the weight on the inner side

Examples of herringbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The first floor sets the elegant tone, with herringbone timber floors playing against pops of metal, glass, stainless steel, and pink marble. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 June 2026 From the reddish velvet furnishings to the parquet herringbone wood floors, everything exudes warmth. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 The eight-bedroom’s main space has 20-foot ceilings, a catwalk, herringbone wood floors, and cement beams and details contrasting with warm wood. The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 2026 White Cabinetry and Marble Tile A gray-and-white marble mosaic tile that shifts from a subway pattern to a herringbone pattern above the stove brings an expensive touch to this smaller kitchen. Lauren Jones, The Spruce, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for herringbone

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1787, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of herringbone was in 1659

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herringbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herringbone. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

herringbone

noun
her·​ring·​bone
ˈher-iŋ-ˌbōn
1
: a pattern of rows of parallel lines with every other row slanting in the opposite direction
2
: a fabric with a herringbone pattern
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