fist

1 of 2

noun

1
: the hand clenched with the fingers doubled into the palm and the thumb doubled inward across the fingers
2
: the hand closed as in grasping : clutch
3

fist

2 of 2

verb

fisted; fisting; fists

transitive verb

1
: to grip with the fist : handle
2
: to clench into a fist

Examples of fist in a Sentence

Noun He pounded his fist on the table in anger. She pounded on the door with both fists. He defiantly shook his fist at the policeman.
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
But after three more of Karty’s kicks were blocked over the next three weeks and all of them played a role in Rams losses, the panic button has felt a fist as fierce as the ones that kept those kicks from sniffing the uprights. Nate Atkins, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 At River Roots, Paul takes those fist-sized biscuits and uses them to sandwich tender smoked chicken thighs from Parts & Labor catering and tangy, peppery Alabama white sauce. Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Oct. 2025 The two men pleaded not guilty and the judge set bail at $500 for Bowers and $1,000 for Cantwell, and both were seen fist-bumping after learning the bail amount, CBS News reported. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Witnesses told the outlet that several fist fights turned into a chaotic scene for many park goers. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fist

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English fȳst; akin to Old High German fūst fist, Polish pięść, and probably to Old English fīf five

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fist was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fist. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

fist

noun
ˈfist
1
: the hand clenched with fingers doubled into the palm
2

Medical Definition

fist

noun
: the hand clenched with the fingers doubled into the palm and the thumb doubled inward across the fingers

More from Merriam-Webster on fist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!