Definition of flail
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a hand threshing implement consisting of a wooden handle at the end of which a stouter and shorter stick is so hung as to swing freely
flail
verbflailed; flailing; flails
Definition of flail (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : to strike with or as if with a flail
The bird's wings flailed the water.
b : to move, swing, or beat as if wielding a flail
flailing a club to drive away the insects
2 : to thresh (grain) with a flail
: to move, swing, or beat like a flail
arms flailing in the water
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizName that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quizTrue or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share flail
Time Traveler for flail
The first known use of flail was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century