noun
scabbard
SKAB-uhd
Scabbard (noun) means a protective sheath for a sword or similar blade. Example: “He slid the sword back into its scabbard.”
noun
1
A protective sheath for a sword or similar blade.
"I had had to discard my rifle before I commenced the rapid descent of the cliff, so that now I was armed only with a hunting knife, and this I whipped from its scabbard as Kho leaped toward me."
— , The Land That Time Forgot (1918)
"He slid the sword back into its scabbard."
How to use scabbard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe case or covering that holds a sword when it isn't being used.
Common pairings
draw a sword from its scabbard
sheathe in a scabbard
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Word forms
- Plural
- scabbards
- Third person singular
- scabbards
- Past tense
- scabbarded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He slid the sword back into its _____.
Etymology
From Old French/Anglo-Norman roots meaning roughly "blade protection," from Germanic words for "blade" and "shelter."
Frequently asked questions
What does “scabbard” mean?
The word “scabbard” means a protective sheath for a sword or similar blade. In plain terms, the case or covering that holds a sword when it isn't being used.
How do you pronounce “scabbard”?
“Scabbard” is pronounced SKAB-uhd (/ˈskæb.ɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “scabbard” in a sentence?
Here is “scabbard” used in a sentence: “He slid the sword back into its scabbard.”
What part of speech is “scabbard”?
“Scabbard” is a noun.
Where does the word “scabbard” come from?
The word “scabbard” comes from Old French. From Old French/Anglo-Norman roots meaning roughly "blade protection," from Germanic words for "blade" and "shelter.".
