Illustration of wing
- 1 coverts
- 2 primaries
- 3 secondaries
plural wings
often attributive
1
a
: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly
also
: such an appendage (as of an ostrich or penguin) not used for flight
b
: any of various anatomical structures (as of a flying fish or sugar glider) providing means of limited flight
2
: an appendage or part resembling a wing in appearance, position, or function: such as
a
: a device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming or staying afloat
water wings
b
: ala
c
: a turned-back or extended edge on an article of clothing
d
: a sidepiece at the top of an armchair
e(1)
: a foliaceous, membranous, or woody expansion of a plant especially along a stem or on a samara or capsule
(2)
: either of the two lateral petals of a papilionaceous flower compare keel entry 2 sense 2b
f
: a vane of a windmill or arrow
g
: sail
h
: an airfoil that develops a major part of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft
i
chiefly British
: fender sense d
3
: a means of flight or rapid progress
4
: the act or manner of flying : flight
take wing
5
: a side or outlying region or district
6
: a part or feature of a building usually projecting from and subordinate to the main or central part
the servants' wing
7
a
: one of the pieces of scenery at the side of a stage
b
wings plural
: the area at the side of the stage out of sight
8
9
a
: either of two opposing groups within an organization or society : faction
b
: a section of an organized body (such as a legislative chamber) representing a group or faction holding distinct opinions or policies compare left wing, right wing
10
a
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a group and lower than a division
b
: two or more squadrons of naval airplanes
11
: a dance step marked by a quick outward and inward rolling glide of one foot
12
wings plural
: insignia consisting of an outspread pair of stylized bird's wings which are awarded on completion of prescribed training to a qualified pilot, aircrew member, or military balloon pilot
see also:
winged; winging; wings
1
a
: to fit with wings
b
: to enable to fly or move swiftly
2
a
: to traverse with or as if with wings
b
: to effect or achieve by flying
3
: to let fly : dispatch
… would start to wing punches …—
A. J. Liebling
A. J. Liebling4
a
: to wound in the wing : disable the wing of
winged the duck
b
: to wound (as with a bullet) without killing
winged by a sniper
5
: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines : improvise
winging it
: to go with or as if with wings : fly
—often used with it
winged it to Europe
Examples of wing in a Sentence
Noun
In the library's north wing, you'll find the current periodicals.
She works in the pediatric wing of the hospital.
The guest room is in the east wing.
Verb
The team winged to Moscow for the finals.
She winged the ball over to first base.
The soldier was winged by a stray bullet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Converted in 1995, the 17th-century convent also includes two Republican-era wings (which now brace the deliciously cool outdoor pool) that the Accor hotel group subsequently renovated with equal savoir faire.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
When food runs out or things get overcrowded in a location, winged females are born and fly off to other plants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Zandalasini also provided Nakase with another option to a deep collection on the wing, checking in before Salaun or Jocyte.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Converted in 1995, the 17th-century convent also includes two Republican-era wings (which now brace the deliciously cool outdoor pool) that the Accor hotel group subsequently renovated with equal savoir faire.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
Verb
Realizing that late-night sketches would no longer be appreciated, Colbert and team winged it — no rundowns, no scripts.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
When food runs out or things get overcrowded in a location, winged females are born and fly off to other plants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wing
Cite this Entry
“Wing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wing. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wing
1 of 2 noun1
: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect flies
2
: an extension or part resembling a wing in shape, appearance, or position
especially
: a flat or broadly expanded plant or animal part
a stem with woody wings
3
: an extension from the side of an armchair
4
: a part that extends from the side of an airplane
5
: the act or manner of flying : flight
6
: a part sticking out from a main part
the rear wing of the house
7
plural
: the area at the side of the stage out of sight of the audience
8
: one of the positions or players on each side of a center position or line
9
: a particular group within an organization : faction
10
: a unit of a military force and especially an air force
winged
adjective
ˈwiŋd,
ˈwiŋ-əd
winglike
adjective
-ˌlīk
wing
2 of 2 verb1
: to pass through in flight
2
: to go with or as if with wings : fly
3
: to wound in the wing
wing a duck
also
: to wound without killing
wing a deer
4
: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines
wing it
Medical Definition
wing
noun1
: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly
2
: a winglike anatomical part or process : ala
especially
: any of the four winglike processes of the sphenoid bone see greater wing, lesser wing
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