mesh

UK: /ˈmɛʃ/ US: /mɛʃ/ ,(mesh)

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

mesh /mɛʃ/   n. 

[uncountable]
1. an arrangement of interlocking metal links used in jewelry, sieves, etc.
2. Textiles any fabric of open texture resembling a net:
   stockings of mesh.
3. an intertwined structure resembling a net;
   network.

v. 

4. Mechanical Engineering to (cause to) become or be engaged, as the teeth of gears: [no object]
   The gears meshed smoothly.
   [~ + object]
   He meshed the gears smoothly.
5. to (cause to) match, coordinate, or fit together: [no object]
   Her ideas meshed with mine.
   [~ + object]
   meshed the ideas into one proposal.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mesh  (mesh), n. 

1. Textiles any knit, woven, or knotted fabric of open texture.
2. an interwoven or intertwined structure;
   network.
3. any arrangement of interlocking metal links or wires with evenly spaced, uniform small openings between, as used in jewelry or sieves.
4. Textiles one of the open spaces between the cords or ropes of a net.
5. meshes:
   • Textiles the threads that bind such spaces.
   • the means of catching or holding fast:
     to be caught in the meshes of the law.
6. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] the engagement of gear teeth.
7. Electricity a set of branches that forms a closed path in a network so that removal of a branch results in an open path.
8. Metallurgy a designation of a given fineness of powder used in powder metallurgy in terms of the number of the finest screen through which almost all the particles will pass:
   This powder is 200 mesh.

v.t. 

9. to catch or entangle in or as if in a net;
   enmesh.
10. to form with meshes, as a net.
11. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] to engage, as gear teeth.
12. to cause to match, coordinate, or interlock:
    They tried to mesh their vacation plans.

v.i. 

13. to become enmeshed.
14. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] to become or be engaged, as the teeth of one gear with those of another.
15. to match, coordinate, or interlock:
    The two versions of the story don't mesh.

• 1375–1425; late Middle English mesch, apparently continuing Old English masc, max; akin to Old High German māsca, Middle Dutch maesche

Synonyms

• 2. web, netting, grill, screen, grid.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

mesh / mɛʃ/ noun

1. a network; net
2. an open space between the strands of a network
3. (often plural) the strands surrounding these spaces
4. anything that ensnares, or holds like a net
5. the engagement of teeth on interacting gearwheels: the gears are in mesh
6. Also called: mesh network a network of devices connected to each other by multiple nodes

verb

1. to entangle or become entangled
2. (intransitive) often followed by with: to coordinate (with)
3. to work or cause to work in harmony

Etymology: 16th Century: probably from Dutch maesche; related to Old English masc, Old High German masca