sword

noun

ˈsȯrd 

often attributive

1

: a weapon (such as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority

2

a

: an agency or instrument of destruction or combat

b

: the use of force

The pen is mightier than the sword.

—Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

3

: coercive power

4

: something that resembles a sword

swordlike

ˈsȯrd-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

at swords' points

Illustration of sword

• 1 pommel
• 2 hilt
• 3 guard
• 4 blade

Synonyms of sword

• blade
• steel

Examples of sword in a Sentence

once upon a time dueling with swords was the gentlemanly way to settle a point of honor

Recent Examples on the Web

This gets closer than almost any other film on this list to the swords-and-sandals kind of movie that predates The Odyssey’s legacy. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

No sword, no Round Table, just world-class shot-making, a lion’s heart and a Centre Court crowd thrilled to rally behind him. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

The study, like the seven-and-a half-foot-tall finished painting, shows King Charles head on, in a Welsh Guards uniform, with his hands clasped in front of his waist resting on a sword. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026

The sword-and-sandals epic is projected to soar as high as $120 million at the box office for its opening weekend, which would be the biggest start of Nolan's career for a non-franchise film. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swert sword

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sword

• double-edged sword
• fall on one's sword
• put (someone) to the sword
• sword cane
• sword dance
• sword fern
• sword grass
• sword knot
• sword of Damocles
• two-edged sword

Rhymes for sword

• board
• bored
• chord
• cord
• corde
• cored
• fjord
• floored
• gored
• gourd
• hoard
• horde

Kids Definition

sword

noun

ˈsō(ə)rd 

ˈsȯ(ə)rd

1

: a weapon having a long blade usually with a sharp point and edge

2

: the use of force

swordlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective