pashmina

1 of 2

noun (1)

pash·​mi·​na ˌpəsh-ˈmē-nə How to pronounce pashmina (audio)
: a fine wool similar to cashmere made from the undercoat of domestic Himalayan goats
also : a shawl made from this wool

pashm

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈpəshəm
variants or less commonly pashim
-ˌshēm
 or pashmina
ˌpəshˈmēnə How to pronounce pashm (audio)
plural -s
: the under fleece of upland goats of Kashmir and the Punjab that was formerly used locally for the production of rugs and shawls but is now largely exported

Examples of pashmina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The point is that packing a shawl or pashmina is extremely useful. — Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026 Fields wore a sparkly gold pashmina, white shorts, a brown belt and brown boots for Day 1 of the festival. — Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 14 Apr. 2026 The suite’s jaunty decor matches Meryl’s gauzy, sunny pashmina. — Chloe Malle, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2026 Brooklyn Mirage, the East Williamsburg music venue known for drawing pashmina-wearing bros, lots of MDMA, and a possible serial killer to its giant EDM concerts, won’t be demolished after all. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pashmina

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Persian, from pashmin woolen, from pashm wool

Noun (2)

pashm, pashim from Persian pashm wool; pashmina from Persian pashmīn woolen, from pashm

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1850, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pashmina was in 1843

Rhymes for pashmina

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Browse Nearby Words

pashm
pashmina
Pashto
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Cite this Entry

“Pashmina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pashmina. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pashmina

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pashmina

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