full nelson

noun

: a wrestling hold gained from behind an opponent by thrusting the arms under the opponent's arms and clasping the hands behind the opponent's head compare half nelson

Examples of full nelson in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Putting a figurative full nelson on an American musical monument, Oren Moverman and Thom Zimny allow a glittering roster of celebrity witnesses to testify in no uncertain terms about the musical virtues of Willie Nelson. John Anderson, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'full nelson.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of full nelson was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near full nelson

Cite this Entry

“Full nelson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/full%20nelson. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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