wedge

¹wedge

noun \ˈwej\

Definition of WEDGE

1

: a piece of a substance (as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something

2

a : something (as a policy) causing a breach or separation

b : something used to initiate an action or development

3

: something wedge-shaped: as

a : an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge

b : the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters

c : a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole

d : an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft

4

: a golf shot made with a wedge —called also wedge shot

Examples of WEDGE

1. He used a wedge to split the firewood.
2. A wedge held the door open.
3. The battalion formed a wedge and marched toward the enemy.

Illustration of WEDGE

Origin of WEDGE

Middle English wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology

Rhymes with WEDGE

dredge, edge, fledge, hedge, kedge, ledge, pledge, sedge, sledge, veg

²wedge

verb

wedgedwedg·ing

Definition of WEDGE

transitive verb

1

: to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge

2

a : to force or press (something) into a narrow space : cram

b : to force (one's way) into or through

3

: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge

intransitive verb

: to become wedged

Examples of WEDGE

1. She wedged her foot into the crack.
2. The dog got wedged between the couch and the end table.
3. I wedged myself into the car's back seat.
4. She wedged the door open.

First Known Use of WEDGE

15th century

Related to WEDGE

Synonyms

cram, crush, jam, ram, sandwich, shoehorn, squeeze, stuff, crowd

Related Words

fill, heap, jam-pack, load, pack

wedge

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In mechanics, a device that tapers to a thin edge, usually made of metal or wood, and used for splitting, lifting, or tightening, such as to secure a hammer head onto its handle. The wedge is considered one of the five simple machines. Wedges have been used since prehistoric times to split logs and rocks; for rocks, wooden wedges, caused to swell by wetting, have been used. In terms of its mechanical function, the screw may be thought of as a wedge wrapped around a cylinder.