Cocoon

//kəˈkuːn// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The silky case spun by the larvae of some insects in which they metamorphose, protecting the pupa within.
  2. 2
    silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects to protect pupas and by spiders to protect eggs wordnet
  3. 3
    Any similar protective case, whether real or metaphorical.

    "The bad guys generally don’t like to get on trains, because they’re trapped on a moving cocoon that the CTA controls."

Verb
  1. 1
    To envelop in a protective case. transitive

    "Vern grabbed the throw draped over the back of the sofa and cocooned herself within it."

  2. 2
    wrap in or as if in a cocoon, as for protection wordnet
  3. 3
    To withdraw into such a case. intransitive
  4. 4
    retreat as if into a cocoon, as from an unfriendly environment wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
caterpillargrublarvamaggotnymph

Example

More examples

"Caterpillars transform into butterflies while they're in a cocoon."

Etymology

From French cocon, diminutive of coque (“shell”).

Related phrases

brood cocoonjet cocoon

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.