To weave means to create fabric by interlacing threads or strands over and under each other in a crisscross pattern. Imagine lacing your fingers together: that's the basic idea of weaving. On a loom (a weaving machine), vertical threads called the warp stay in place while horizontal threads called the weft pass over and under them, back and forth, building up cloth row by row.

People have been weaving for thousands of years to make everything from simple baskets to elaborate tapestries. Different weaving patterns create different textures: tight weaving makes sturdy canvas, while loose weaving makes airy cloth. A weaver might work with cotton, wool, silk, or even strips of palm leaves.

The word also describes threading your way through tight spaces or obstacles. A running back weaves between defenders on the football field, changing direction to avoid getting tackled. A cyclist weaves through traffic. You might weave between desks to reach your seat in a crowded classroom.

When you weave a story, you're combining different elements into a connected whole, like a writer who weaves multiple plot threads together. People also weave facts into arguments or weave humor into serious presentations, blending different elements skillfully.