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)
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
darted; darting; darts
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
: 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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Tristan learns there’s a darts competition at The Drovers, and the prize is a turkey.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But the most eye-catching elements are the flocks of colored blobby shapes that appear to dart back and forth across their surfaces, like jellyfish swimming back and forth.
—Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dart
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Noun
To pass time during inclement weather or an evening in, The Barn plays hosts to billiards, darts, and other classic bar games.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Tristan learns there’s a darts competition at The Drovers, and the prize is a turkey.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Meta boss appeared in a dark suit and gray tie, his signature chestnut curls slightly mussed, darting occasional nervous looks at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, who sat in the courtroom gallery.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But the most eye-catching elements are the flocks of colored blobby shapes that appear to dart back and forth across their surfaces, like jellyfish swimming back and forth.
—Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dart
Cite this Entry
“Dart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dart. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dart
1 of 2 noun1
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
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