pouch

1 of 2

noun

1
: a small drawstring bag carried on the person
2
a
: a bag of small or moderate size for storing or transporting goods
specifically : a lockable bag for first-class mail or diplomatic dispatches
b
chiefly Scotland : pocket
c
: packet
3
: an anatomical structure resembling a pouch
pouched adjective

pouch

2 of 2

verb

pouched; pouching; pouches

transitive verb

1
: to put or form into or as if into a pouch
2
: to transmit by pouch

intransitive verb

1
: to bulge in a manner suggesting a pouch
pouching cheeks
2
: to transmit mail or dispatches by pouch

Examples of pouch in a Sentence

Noun He carried his money in a small leather pouch in his pocket. we sealed the catnip in a cloth pouch and tossed it to the cat Verb as he grew older, the skin on his neck pouched
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Taxes will go up on tobacco from the current rate of 36% of wholesale price for cigarettes and 15% for vaping products to 45% across the board, including nicotine pouches, which have exploded in popularity in recent years. Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025 Branzino at Felice is steamed in an aluminum foil pouch to retain all the juices, lemon and olive oil. John Mariani, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
Then, put the can or pouch in water and let the water boil for two minutes or put them in a solution of a tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water for 15 minutes. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025 Ratting on wildlife crime: Training African giant pouched rats to detect illegally trafficked wildlife. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pouch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pouche, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English pocca bag

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pouch was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pouch. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pouch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small bag that can be closed (as with a string)
tobacco pouch
2
: a structure in the form of a bag
especially : one for carrying the young on the abdomen of a female marsupial (as a kangaroo or opossum)
pouched adjective

pouch

2 of 2 verb
: to put or form into or as if into a pouch

Medical Definition

pouch

noun
: an anatomical structure resembling a bag or pocket
a blind gastric pouch filled with bile and gastric juiceThe Journal of the American Medical Association

More from Merriam-Webster on pouch

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