Meaning of fold In English

• 0 to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way:

  • I folded the letter (in half) and put it in an envelope.

  • He had a neatly folded handkerchief in his jacket pocket.

  • Will you help me to fold (up) the sheets?

  • The table folds up when not in use.

  • She folded her baby in a blanket.

  • He folded his arms around her.

  • She sat with her legs folded under her.

• 1 (of a business) to close because of failure:

  • Many small businesses fold within the first year.

• 2 a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded:

  • Make a fold across the centre of the card.

• 3 a small area of a field surrounded by a fence where sheep can be put for shelter for the night

  • Her children are all away at college now, but they always return to the fold during the holidays.

• 4 having the stated number of parts, or multiplied by the stated number:

  • threefold

  • fourfold

  • The problems are twofold - firstly, economic, and secondly, political.

  • In the last 50 years, there has been a 33-fold increase in the amount of pesticide used in farming.

• 5 to bend something such as paper or cloth so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able bend in this way:

  • [ T ] He took his clothes out of the dryer and carefully folded them.

  • [ M ] She folded up the map and put it back in her bag.

  • [ I ] The tray table folds up so that it fits in a closet.

  • [ T ] He folded his arms across his chest.

• 6 (of a business) to close because of failure:

  • Many small businesses fold within the first year.

• 7 a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded:

  • If you just make folds along the dotted lines, you can seal it and mail it as an envelope.

• 8 the safety or comfort of belonging to a group that shares the same beliefs:

  • [ U ] The Democrats attracted many immigrants to the fold.

• 9 having the stated number of parts, or multiplied by the stated number:

  • There has been more than a 30-fold increase in Internet users in the past two years.

• 10 if a business folds, it closes because of failure:

  • The company folded after four years, having made heavy losses.

• 11 having the stated number of parts, or multiplied by the stated number:

  • The problems are twofold - firstly, economic, and secondly, political.

  • In the last 50 years, there has been a 33-fold increase in the amount of pesticide used in farming.