merino

noun

me·​ri·​no mə-ˈrē-(ˌ)nō 

plural merinos

1

: any of a breed of fine-wooled white sheep originating in Spain and producing a heavy fleece of exceptional quality

2

: a soft wool or wool and cotton clothing fabric resembling cashmere

3

: a fine wool and cotton yarn used for hosiery and knitwear

merino adjective

Examples of merino in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s made from high-quality merino wool that creates a relaxed yet still structured fit and is still ultra-packable without taking up too much space in your carry-on. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2025

The recycled nylon material and merino wool yarn provide insulation against the elements. —Nicol Natale, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Managers no longer have two sartorial choices — polyester sportswear to denote virility and dynamism and suit and tie to convey sombre authority — but have branched out into turtlenecks, quarter-zips, and merino wool sweaters, the wardrobe of the TEDx talk. —Rory Smith, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025

With no more than 10 guests at a time, each can join the farming team for a night of local gaucho guitar music on the Gallie family's 27,000-hectare estate, with its 8,500 merino sheep and 400 Hereford and Aberdeen Angus cattle. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

merino

noun

me·​ri·​no mə-ˈrē-nō 

plural merinos

1

: any of a breed of sheep that produce a heavy fleece of fine white wool

2

: a fine soft wool or wool and cotton fabric resembling cashmere

3

: a fine wool and cotton yarn

merino adjective