herringbone

UK: /ˈhɛrɪŋbəʊn/ US: /ˈhɛrɪŋˌboʊn/ ,(her′ing bōn′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

her•ring•bone /ˈhɛrɪŋˌboʊn/   n. [uncountable]

1. Clothing, Textiles a pattern of vertical rows of slanting lines, either shaped in aVor an invertedV, used in bricks, fabrics, textiles, etc.

adj. [before a noun]

2. Clothing woven in a pattern of herringbone:
   herringbone tweed.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

her•ring•bone  (her′ing bōn′), n. 

1. Clothing, Textiles a pattern consisting of adjoining vertical rows of slanting lines, any two contiguous lines forming either aVor an invertedV,used in masonry, textiles, embroidery, etc.
2. Textiles
   • Also called chevron, chevron weave, her′ringbone weave′. a type of twill weave having this pattern.
   • a fabric constructed with this weave.
   • Clothing a garment made from such a fabric, esp. a suit.
3. Sport [Skiing.] a method of going up a slope in which a skier sets the skis in a form resembling aV,and, placing weight on the inside edges, advances the skis by turns using the poles from behind for push and support.

adj. 

4. Clothing having or resembling herringbone:
   herringbone tweed.

• herring + bone 1645–55

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

herringbone / ˈhɛrɪŋˌbəʊn/ noun

1. a pattern used in textiles, brickwork, etc, consisting of two or more rows of short parallel strokes slanting in alternate directions to form a series of parallel Vs or zigzags
2. (as modifier): a herringbone jacket, a herringbone pattern of very long, narrow bricks
3. a method of ascending a slope by walking with the skis pointing outwards and one's weight on the inside edges

verb

1. to decorate (textiles, brickwork, etc) with herringbone
2. (intransitive) to ascend a slope in herringbone fashion