fleece, mat of wool formed by shearing a sheep in one continuous operation. The average fleece weighs from 5 to 10 lb (2.3-4.5 kg); in highbred wool sheep such as the American Merinos a ram's fleece may reach 30 lb (13.6 kg). The weight lost in cleansing the fleece of grease before sorting the wool is called shrinkage. On large sheep ranches hand shearing, once a competition skill, has largely been replaced by machine shearing. In heraldry a fleece is a whole, stuffed ram's fleece, complete with head and feet, suspended by a band around its middle. See also Golden Fleece and sheep.

Fleece may refer to:

• The woolen coat of a domestic sheep, especially after having been sheared (but before being processed into yarn or thread);
• A general term for a soft bulky fabric with deep pile.
• Polar fleece, a modern synthetic material used to make cool-weather clothing.
• The Golden Fleece in Greek mythology
• Fleece, a variation of poker