1
2
a
: a projecting piece used as a support or boundary marker
b
: something (such as a fact or issue) used as a support, pretext, or reason
a news peg for the story
3
a
: one of the movable wooden pegs set in the head of a stringed instrument (such as a violin) that are turned to regulate the pitch of the strings see violin illustration
b
: a step or degree especially in estimation
4
: a pointed prong or claw for catching or tearing
5
British
: drink
poured himself out a stiff peg—
Dorothy Sayers
Dorothy Sayers6
: something (such as a leg) resembling a peg
7
: throw
especially
: a hard throw in baseball made in an attempt to put out a base runner
pegged; pegging
1
a
: to put a peg into
b
British
: to pin (laundry) on a clothesline
2
3
: to mark by pegs
4
: throw
1
: to work steadily and diligently
—often used with away
2
: to move along vigorously or hastily : hustle
polyethylene glycol
Synonyms
Examples of peg in a Sentence
Noun
Her coat hung on a peg by the door.
took the arrogant student down a peg
Verb
Is the tent pegged down all the way?
peg the price of wheat at its current level
His bonus is pegged to how many sales he makes each year for the company.
Recent Examples on the WebAurelien Breeden, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Since the pegs vary in color, kids can identify and name the color when placing the peg.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024
The double peg heights accommodated different bottle and accessory sizes nicely.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
Kate’s absence from public life has prompted a slew of criticism from Royal watchers, many of whom have used the Palace’s Benny Hill-esque fumbling of the situation as a peg to discuss the irrelevance, hypocrisy, and corruption of the monarchy.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024
The anxiety behind Big Tech crackdowns The European Union this week enshrined the most consequential law to date trying to knock America’s technology superpowers down a peg.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
The branch-like pegs within the chamber allowed our tester to load bottles, pump parts, and accessories in configurations that allowed steam to access every crevice for a highly effective clean.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
In videos captured by Mr. Holbrook, a small mouse carries clothes pegs, cups and even cable ties to the box, with an enviable focus.
—Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2024
The Road Trip-ers peg that particular incident as happening on the Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge near downtown Toronto.
—EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
One big number: 303,000 How many new jobs the U.S. economy added in March
That way surpassed estimates, which had pegged that number closer to 205,000.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
While official statistics anticipate growth of 7.3 percent in the current fiscal year, most finance professionals in Mumbai peg the figure at 6 to 6.5 percent.
—Alex Travelli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The outlet pegged the yacht as costing some $20 million, an upgrade from the Beckhams’ smaller, $6.5 million Riva Argo 90.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Indeed, an estimate from Efficiency Vermont, the states’ energy efficiency utility, pegged the system’s consumption at 10,000 kilowatt-hours annually in heating alone.
—Tik Root, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024
But Apple’s car considerations go back a bit farther than 2014, the year early reports pegged the company’s first real moves to spin up Project Titan.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Mar. 2024
Russ Wiles Recession risks are receding, according to a group of 16 national bank economists, who now peg the odds of a downturn at around 30%, for both this year and next.
—The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
The visitors had hope going into the break despite being pegged back for most of the first period.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2016
The most controversial were the inclusion of single-unders and double-under crossovers which appeared during Event 3 alongside strict peg-board climbs.
—Gabrielle Kassel, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2022
The toymaker father of young Olivia is dramatically kidnapped by a peg-legged bat.
—Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Sep. 2020
Noun
The beams were assembled using mortise and tenon joinery, in which a protruding tenon slots into a mortise hole and is held fast with an oak peg.
—Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Since the pegs vary in color, kids can identify and name the color when placing the peg.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024
The double peg heights accommodated different bottle and accessory sizes nicely.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
Kate’s absence from public life has prompted a slew of criticism from Royal watchers, many of whom have used the Palace’s Benny Hill-esque fumbling of the situation as a peg to discuss the irrelevance, hypocrisy, and corruption of the monarchy.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024
The anxiety behind Big Tech crackdowns The European Union this week enshrined the most consequential law to date trying to knock America’s technology superpowers down a peg.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
The branch-like pegs within the chamber allowed our tester to load bottles, pump parts, and accessories in configurations that allowed steam to access every crevice for a highly effective clean.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
In videos captured by Mr. Holbrook, a small mouse carries clothes pegs, cups and even cable ties to the box, with an enviable focus.
—Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2024
The Road Trip-ers peg that particular incident as happening on the Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge near downtown Toronto.
—EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
However, state lawyers noted, Weisselberg got an email early in that same year with a 1994 document attached that pegged Trump’s apartment at 10,996 square feet (1,022 square meters).
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
One big number: 303,000 How many new jobs the U.S. economy added in March
That way surpassed estimates, which had pegged that number closer to 205,000.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
While official statistics anticipate growth of 7.3 percent in the current fiscal year, most finance professionals in Mumbai peg the figure at 6 to 6.5 percent.
—Alex Travelli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The outlet pegged the yacht as costing some $20 million, an upgrade from the Beckhams’ smaller, $6.5 million Riva Argo 90.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Indeed, an estimate from Efficiency Vermont, the states’ energy efficiency utility, pegged the system’s consumption at 10,000 kilowatt-hours annually in heating alone.
—Tik Root, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024
But Apple’s car considerations go back a bit farther than 2014, the year early reports pegged the company’s first real moves to spin up Project Titan.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Mar. 2024
Russ Wiles Recession risks are receding, according to a group of 16 national bank economists, who now peg the odds of a downturn at around 30%, for both this year and next.
—The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
The visitors had hope going into the break despite being pegged back for most of the first period.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The shape of those peg-like teeth at the front of its mouth tell us that A. unicus was vegan — the oldest such marine reptile known.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2016
The most controversial were the inclusion of single-unders and double-under crossovers which appeared during Event 3 alongside strict peg-board climbs.
—Gabrielle Kassel, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2022
The toymaker father of young Olivia is dramatically kidnapped by a peg-legged bat.
—Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Sep. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peg.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pegge, probably from Middle Dutch
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1543, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Adjective
1681, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of peg was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing peg
Dictionary Entries Near peg
Cite this Entry
“Peg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peg. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
peg
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a small usually cylindrical pointed piece (as of wood) used to pin down or fasten things or to fit into or close holes
a tent peg
b
: a tapered wooden piece in a musical instrument (as a violin) that is turned to tighten or loosen a string to adjust pitch
2
: a piece that sticks out and is used as a support or boundary marker
3
: step entry 1 sense 5, degree
take someone down a peg
4
: throw entry 2 sense 1
a quick peg to first base
peg
2 of 2 verb
pegged; pegging
1
a
: to fasten or mark with pegs
b
: to fix or hold (as prices) at a level or rate of increase
2
: to place in a class or group
4
: to work steadily and diligently
Medical Definition
PEG
abbreviation
More from Merriam-Webster on peg
Nglish: Translation of peg for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of peg for Arabic Speakers
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