cast

1 of 2

verb

cast; casting

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to move or send forth by throwing
cast a fishing lure
cast dice
b
: direct
cast a glance
c(1)
: to put forth
the fire casts a warm glow
cast light on the subject
cast a shadow
(2)
: to place as if by throwing
cast doubt on their reliability
d
: to deposit (a ballot) formally
cast her vote
e(1)
: to throw off or away
the horse cast a shoe
(2)
: to get rid of : discard
cast off all restraint
soda cans and fast-food boxes cast aside on the beach
(3)
: shed, molt
cast feathers
(4)
: to bring forth
especially : to give birth to prematurely
f
: to throw to the ground especially in wrestling
The cow was cast and her legs tied.
g
: to build by throwing up earth
cast a mound
2
a(1)
: to perform arithmetical operations on : add
(2)
: to calculate by means of astrology
cast a person's horoscope
b
archaic : decide, intend
3
a
: to dispose or arrange into parts or into a suitable form or order
I shall cast what I have to say under two principal headsTatler
b(1)
: to assign the parts of (a dramatic production) to actors
cast a movie
(2)
: to assign (someone, such as an actor) to a role or part
was cast in the leading role
4
a
: to give a shape to (a substance) by pouring in liquid or plastic form into a mold and letting harden without pressure
cast steel
b
: to form by this process
toys cast from plastic
5
: turn
cast the scale slightly
6
: to make (a knot or stitch) by looping or catching up
cast a square knot
7
: twist, warp
a beam cast by age
8
: to transmit the sound and images of (something happening) in real time via the Internet
The event is cast live over the Internet and broadcast later on National Public Radio's "Science Friday."Lynn Teo Simarski
The webinar will be cast live over Skype on a large screen at the church.Cheril Vernon

intransitive verb

1
: to throw something
specifically : to throw out a lure with a fishing rod
2
dialectal British : vomit
3
dialectal, England : to bear fruit : yield
4
a
: to perform addition
b
obsolete : estimate, conjecture
5
: warp
lumber casts
6
: to range over land in search of a trail
used of hunting dogs or trackers
7
: veer
castability noun
castable adjective

cast

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an act of casting
b
: something that happens as a result of chance
c
: a throw of dice
a seven on the first cast
d
: a throw of a line (such as a fishing line) or net
a perfect cast
2
a
: the form in which a thing is constructed
b(1)
: the set of actors in a dramatic production
The show features an all-star cast.
(2)
: a set of characters or persons
in both great houses there is the usual cast of servantsElizabeth Bowen
c
: the arrangement of draperies in a painting
3
: the distance to which a thing can be thrown
specifically : the distance a bow can shoot
4
a
: a turning of the eye in a particular direction
also : expression
this freakish, elfish cast came into the child's eye Nathaniel Hawthorne
b
: a slight strabismus
5
: something that is thrown or the quantity thrown
especially, British : the leader of a fishing line
6
a
: something that is formed by casting in a mold or form: such as
(1)
: a reproduction (as of a statue) in metal or plaster : casting
(2)
: a fossil reproduction of the details of a natural object by mineral infiltration
b
: an impression taken from an object with a liquid or plastic substance : mold
They made a mask from a wax cast of her face.
c
: a rigid casing (as of fiberglass or of gauze impregnated with plaster of paris) used for immobilizing a usually diseased or broken part
has a cast on her broken arm
7
8
a
: an overspread of a color or modification of the appearance of a substance by a trace of some added hue : shade
gray with a greenish cast
b
: tinge, suggestion
a cast of bitterness in his wordsWalter O'Meara
9
a
: a ride on one's way in a vehicle : lift
A motorist gave him a cast as far as the town.
b
Scotland : help, assistance
10
a
: shape, appearance
the delicate cast of her features
b
: characteristic quality
his father's conservative cast of mind
11
: something that is shed, ejected, or thrown out or off: such as
a
: the excrement of an earthworm
b
: a mass of soft matter formed in cavities of diseased organs and discharged from the body
c
: the skin of an insect
12
: the ranging in search of a trail by a dog, hunting pack, or tracker
The setter made a wide cast.
Phrases
cast lots
: to draw lots to determine a matter by chance
Choose the Right Synonym for cast

discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of.

discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

discard old clothes

cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster.

shed a bad habit
finally sloughed off the depression

scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways
would junk our educational system

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Examples of cast in a Sentence

Verb Seaweed was cast up by the waves. The tree cast a long shadow on the lawn. How many votes were cast? Noun She has a cast on her arm. They made a mask from a wax cast of her face.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
While Navalny, who had been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison, would not have been able to challenge Putin, his death cast a shadow over the elections and rid Russia of its most prominent opposition figure. Christian Edwards, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 In a recent letter to potential investors, Huffman cast Reddit’s efforts to generate revenue as being in the early stages, and highlighted ongoing efforts to make the platform faster and easier to use, including with the help of AI. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 But the legendary actress and singer’s star still shines on at this charming Bel Air home she had custom-built by master architect Wallace Neff in 1938—the same year the 16-year-old was cast as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 In another book, Eszterhas quoted the director, Phillip Noyce, as saying that Stone fumed over Billy Baldwin being cast in the film, the New York Post reported. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Autocrats can manipulate electoral outcomes even before votes are cast or counted. Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 Author John Green , director Hannah Marks and cast members will participate in a panel discussion following the screening. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The result was Schneider, ever the hands-on showrunner, having to stop interacting with the series cast and stay in his office. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 In New York last month, Batsheva cast only models over the age of 40. Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Noun
Additional cast includes Aneurin Barnard, Anita Dobson, Yasmin Finney, Michelle Greenidge, Jonathan Groff, Bonnie Langford, Genesis Lynea, Jemma Redgrave, Lenny Rush, Indira Varma and Angela Wynter. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The whole cast got back together for their final major award show at the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in late February. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Another highlight of the series is Burnett’s appearance in a guest starring role, as the cast sang the icon’s praises on the carpet. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 The protest took place about halfway into the production during a scene set at a town hall meeting in which the cast invites audience members onstage as Strong’s character gives his report on the town’s polluted baths. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 Apples Never Fall is that perfect binge that mixes all the elements of a New York Times best-selling book (by Liane Moriarty, in this case) with an appealing cast (Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Jake Lacy, Alison Brie…) and clever, edge-of-your-seat twists. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 It's been almost a year since Love Is Blind season 6 stopped filming, and a lot has happened with the cast. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2024 Bruce had been a late addition to the cast, taking over the lead role when the play moved to Off-Broadway. Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 They were surrounded by most of the film’s entire cast — including Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, Charlotte Rampling, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem. Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old Norse kasta; akin to Old Norse kǫs heap

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cast was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near cast

Cite this Entry

“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cast. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cast

1 of 2 verb
cast; casting
1
a
: throw entry 1 sense 1a, toss
cast a stone
b
: to throw a fishing line
c
: direct entry 1 sense 3
cast a glance
d
: to place as if by throwing
cast doubt on their honesty
e
: to deposit formally
cast a ballot
f
: to throw off, out, or away
the horse cast a shoe
a snake casts its skin
2
a
b
: to arrange into parts or into a proper form
cast the story in the form of a letter
3
: to assign parts to actors
cast a play
4
: to shape a substance by pouring it in liquid or very soft form into a mold and letting it harden without pressure
cast steel
cast machine parts

cast

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of casting
2
a
: the form in which a thing is constructed
b
: the characters or the actors in a story or play
3
: the distance to which a thing can be thrown
4
a
: a glance of the eye
5
b
: a rigid casing (as of gauze and plaster of paris) for immobilizing a body part
6
7
: a tinge of color : shade
8
: one of the characteristics associated with a person or thing
the humorous cast of his stories
her strict cast of mind
9
: something thrown out or off or shed

Medical Definition

cast

1 of 2 transitive verb
cast; casting
1
: to give a shape to (a substance) by pouring in liquid or plastic form into a mold and letting harden without pressure
2
: to form by casting

cast

2 of 2 noun
1
: a slight strabismus
2
a
: something that is formed by casting in a mold or form
especially : an impression taken from an object by using a liquid or plastic substance
b
: a rigid casing (as of fiberglass or of gauze impregnated with plaster of paris) used for immobilizing a usually diseased or broken part
3
: a mass of plastic matter formed in cavities of diseased organs (as the kidneys) and discharged from the body

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