auger

noun

au·ger | \ ˈȯ-gər

Definition of auger

: any of various tools or devices with a helical shaft or part that are used for boring holes (as in wood, soil, or ice) or moving loose material (such as snow)

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about auger

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Did You Know?

The tool called an auger has nothing to do with people’s navels, but the words auger and navel are related. This tool was first used to bore a hole for the axle in the nave, or hub, of a wheel. Such a nave was called nafu in Old English. Nafu is related to the word nafela, which became our word navel. The Old English ancestor of auger was nafogar, which was made up of nafu and gar, meaning “spear.” By Middle English nafogar had lost a syllable and shrunk to nauger. Since a nauger sounds like an auger, people began to write an auger, and our modern spelling of the word was born.

Examples of auger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The auger consists of a 25- to 50-foot-long flexible steel cable that’s wound up inside a metal drum. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Unclog a Drain," 26 Jan. 2019 The grills have a controller to regulate the temperature, and the higher the temperature is, the more pellets go into the auger. — Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, "5 Best Pellet Grills to Buy in 2019, According to Kitchen Appliance and Tech Experts," 27 Feb. 2019 There are several prominent auger brands, with disputes between adherents that rival Ford–Chevy debates. — C.j. Chivers, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Started in Ice Fishing," 8 Nov. 2017 To use the auger, pull out a couple of feet of cable and feed it into the drainpipe inside the wall. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Unclog a Drain," 26 Jan. 2019 Poured into a bin attached to the side of the grill, these pellets are fed into the burn box via a turning auger. — Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A.’s money’s no object, high-end outdoor kitchens," 2 July 2018 Avid anglers move around, drill multiple holes in the ice with lightweight augers, and use pull-behind shacks. — Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, "20 Things That Take Longer Than the Nose Ascent," 18 June 2018 Just like a drill bit, the auger's diameter determines the width of the hole. — C.j. Chivers, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Started in Ice Fishing," 8 Nov. 2017 Follow the instructions carefully on your drain auger before using it. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Unclog a Sink," 12 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'auger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.