dart

1 of 2

noun

1
a
archaic : a light spear
b(1)
: a small missile usually with a pointed shaft at one end and feathers at the other
(2)
darts plural in form but singular in construction : a game in which darts are thrown at a target
2
a
: something projected with sudden speed
especially : a sharp glance
b
: something causing sudden pain or distress
darts of sarcasm
3
: something with a slender pointed shaft or outline
specifically : a stitched tapering fold in a garment
4
: a quick movement
made a dart for the door

dart

2 of 2

verb

darted; darting; darts

transitive verb

1
: to throw with a sudden movement
2
: to thrust or move with sudden speed
3
: to shoot with a dart containing a usually tranquilizing drug

intransitive verb

: to move suddenly or rapidly
darted across the street

Examples of dart in a Sentence

Noun He was hit with a poisoned dart. Her favorite game is darts. a quick dart to the left Verb We saw a deer dart across the road. The frog darted its tongue at a fly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Shiela, a petting zoo kangaroo, was later tranquilized with a dart. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025 The Renée Rouleau Anti Bump Solution, $49.50, is one of the most-beloved topical treatments for cystic acne, while a hydrogel patch with micro darts, like ZitSticka Killa Kit, $14, can help to expedite their healing. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Verb
McDavid darted around the ice with his usual flair and notched three helpers. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 Vacationers who were camping nearby tried to capture the dog, but she got spooked and darted off into the wilderness. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dart

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German tart dart, Old English daroth

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1573, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Cite this Entry

“Dart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dart. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

dart

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a small pointed object that is meant to be thrown
b
plural : a game in which darts are thrown at a target
2
: something causing a sudden pain
3
: a stitched fold in a garment
4
: a quick movement
made a dart for the door

dart

2 of 2 verb
: to move or shoot out suddenly and quickly
the toad darted its tongue at a fly
darted through the traffic

More from Merriam-Webster on dart

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