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 cross swords fall on one's sword

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

Blades Brown is a big swords guy, allegedly When your first name is Blades, you're destined to play golf at some level. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

That belief is not Christianity, but a desecration of that religious tradition as severe as taking a sword to desecrate an altar. — Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

He later got swept up in the sword-and-sandal sordidness of Caligula (1979). — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

Edith sends Paladin’s drones to mow down goons, while Raza draws a sword to face Paladin. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 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