verb
    
    folds; folded; folding
    
    to bend one part of (something) over or against another part [+ obj]
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to reduce the length or size of something (such as a piece of furniture) by moving parts of it so that they lie close together [+ obj]
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [+ obj] to put your arm or hand over your other arm or hand in a way that keeps them together
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to bend (a leg, a knee, an elbow, etc.)
    
    
    
    [+ obj] literary :to put your arms around (someone) :embrace
    
    
    
    [+ obj] :to add (a food ingredient) to a mixture by gently and repeatedly lifting one part over another
    
    
    
    [no obj] :to fail completely :collapse
    
    
    
    [no obj] :to accept defeat in a card game (such as poker) by removing your cards from the game
    
    
    
    noun
    
    plural folds
    
    [count] a line or mark made by bending one part of something over another part and pressing at the bent edge :a line or mark made by folding something :crease
    
    
    
    a part of something (such as cloth or skin) that lies or hangs over another part
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    the act of folding something
    
    
    
    technical :a bend produced in a rock layer by pressure - compare 3fold
    
    noun
    
    plural folds
    
    [count] :an enclosed area for sheep
    
    the fold :a group of people who have a shared faith or interest