chuck

1 of 5

verb (1)

chucked; chucking; chucks
: cluck

chuck

2 of 5

noun (1)

used as an endearment

chuck

3 of 5

verb (2)

chucked; chucking; chucks

transitive verb

1
: pat, tap
2
a
: toss, throw
b
: discard
chucked his old shirt
chuck it out with the trash
c
: dismiss, oust
used especially with out
was chucked out of office
3
: give up
chucked his job

chuck

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
: a pat or nudge under the chin
2
: an abrupt movement or toss

chuck

5 of 5

noun (3)

1
: a cut of beef that includes most of the neck, the parts about the shoulder blade, and those about the first three ribs see beef illustration
2
chiefly Western US : food
3
: an attachment for holding a workpiece or tool in a machine (such as a drill or lathe)

Examples of chuck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
If your kid chucks it down the stairs into a mop bucket, or flings their tablet out the window because Bluey stopped playing, Amazon will replace the tablet for free. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023 This is a must-read for anyone who has ever wanted to chuck the office for a vineyard, especially if that dream involves moving to France. Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023 Yet the picket lines became a strange but unique opportunity to get to know the talented, interesting, kind, strong, funny people who, like all of us, chucked caution to the wind and followed their dream to the most dream-crushingest town in the world to try and create stuff for a living. Joe Otterson, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023 The nightmare of ending up as an anonymous body piled up in a morgue or chucked into the dirt has increasingly haunted Palestinians in Gaza. TIME, 28 Oct. 2023 Should be a relatively easy win for the Spartans, no matter who’s chucking the ball. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023 But one was by an Idaho State defender, intercepting it when O’Dell was brought in to chuck a 55-yard Hail Mary pass as time expired in the first half. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023 In another scene, Bajos can be heard talking down a father who seems to be daydreaming an awful lot about chucking his screaming newborn out the window. WIRED, 1 Nov. 2023 On first down with nearly seven minutes remaining, quarterback Byrum Brown dropped back, chucked a deep route into double coverage and threw it to UA defensive back Malachi Moore. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023
Noun
For the filling, lean ground chuck is perfect, while red wine will add flavors that are rich and bold. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2023 How To Make on Stove Cook ground chuck, in batches, in a large Dutch oven. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023 Craft house started out in 2016 as a food truck serving burgers made from a blend of fresh-ground chuck, short rib and brisket beef. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2023 Instead, this slow cooker summer dinner recipe features beef chuck simmered in a savory garlic sauce. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2023 Sheet Pan Nachos: An Easy Dinner for Busy Weeks Budget-friendly ground chuck cooks with traditional Tex-Mex flavors, including cumin and chili powder. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2023 The drill features a two-speed gearbox and ½-inch keyless ratcheting chuck. Brandon Russell, Popular Mechanics, 15 June 2023 Ground chuck: With its higher fat content, ground chuck cooks up crispy and remains tender. Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 But some heavy-duty drills still use a key, a small tool that’s used to tighten and loosen the jaws of the chuck. Lynn Redmile and Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chuck.' 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 (1)

Middle English chukken, of imitative origin

Noun (1)

perhaps from chuck chicken

Verb (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

English dialect chuck lump

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1595, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chuck was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chuck

Cite this Entry

“Chuck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chuck. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

chuck

1 of 3 verb
1
: to give a pat or a tap to
chucked the child under the chin
2
: toss sense 2
let's chuck the ball around

chuck

2 of 3 noun
1
: a pat or nudge under the chin
2
: an easy throw : toss

chuck

3 of 3 noun
1
: a portion of a side of dressed beef including most of the neck and the parts around the shoulder blade and the first three ribs
2
: a device for holding work or a tool in a machine
Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

Noun

English dialect chuck "lump"

More from Merriam-Webster on chuck

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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