blanket

UK: /ˈblæŋkət/ US: /ˈblæŋkɪt/ ,(blang′kit)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

blan•ket /ˈblæŋkɪt/   n. 

[countable]
1. a large rectangular piece of soft fabric, used as a bed covering:
   just groaned and pulled the blanket over her head.
2. any covering or layer that extends over something:
   a blanket of snow.

v. [~ + object (+ with + object)]

3. to cover with or as if with a blanket:
   blanketed the neighborhood with pictures of our candidate.

adj. [before a noun]

4. covering or intended to cover a large class of things:
   a blanket proposal covering every aspect of trade negotiations.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

blan•ket  (blang′kit), n. 

1. a large, rectangular piece of soft fabric, often with bound edges, used esp. for warmth as a bed covering.
2. a similar piece of fabric used as a covering for a horse, dog, etc.
3. the chief garment traditionally worn by some American Indians.
4. any extended covering or layer:
   a blanket of snow.
5. [Print.]
   • Printing (in a press for offset printing) the rubber-covered cylinder to which an inked impression is transferred from the plate for transfer directly to the paper.
   • Printing (in a press for letterpress printing) the resilient covering on the cylinder against which the paper is pressed in printing.
6. Building a thick roll or strip of material for thermal insulation.
7. Idioms born on the wrong side of the blanket, born out of wedlock.

v.t. 

8. to cover with or as with a blanket:
   wild flowers blanketing the hillside.
9. to obscure or obstruct;
   interfere with;
   overpower (usually fol. by out):
   An electrical storm blanketed out the radio program.
10. to toss (someone) in a blanket, as in fraternity hazing.
11. Naval Terms [Naut.] (of a vessel) to take wind from the sails of (another vessel) by passing closely to windward.

adj. 

12. covering or intended to cover a large group or class of things, conditions, situations, etc.:
    a blanket proposal; a blanket indictment.

• Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent. to blanc white (see blank) + -et -et
• Middle English 1250–1300

blan′ket•less, adj. 
blan′ket•like′, adj. 
Synonyms

• 4. cover, coat, mantle, overlay, coating.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

blanket / ˈblæŋkɪt/ noun

1. a large piece of thick cloth for use as a bed covering, animal covering, etc, enabling a person or animal to retain natural body heat
2. a concealing cover or layer, as of smoke, leaves, or snow
3. (modifier) applying to or covering a wide group or variety of people, conditions, situations, etc: blanket insurance against loss, injury, and theft
4. born on the wrong side of the blanket ⇒ illegitimate

verb (transitive)

1. to cover with or as if with a blanket; overlie
2. to cover a very wide area, as in a publicity campaign; give blanket coverage
3. (usually followed by out) to obscure or suppress

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French blancquete, from blanc; see blank