variants
or ax
plural axes
1
: a cutting tool that consists of a heavy edged head fixed to a handle with the edge parallel to the handle and that is used especially for felling trees and chopping and splitting wood
2
: a hammer with a sharp edge for dressing (see dress entry 1 sense 6e) or spalling stone
3
informal
a
: removal from office or release from employment : dismissal
—usually used with the
Employees with poor evaluations got the axe.
Trump quickly gave him the ax [=fired him] for his incompetence.—
Laura Petrecca
Laura Petrecca
b
: abrupt elimination or severe reduction of something
Unlimited expense accounts, signing bonuses, and office plants—all are getting the ax [=being cut or eliminated] thanks to corporate cost-cutting measures.—Amanda Hinnant
Amanda HinnantNo party was brave enough to offend its supporters by taking an axe to [=severely reducing] expenditure.—The Economist
The Economist4
slang
: any of several musical instruments (such as a guitar or a saxophone)
see also:
Examples of axe in a Sentence
the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax
Recent Examples on the Web
This could all be welcome news for white-collar workers whose industries have been in contraction, as well as for those who fear the AI axe will fall on them.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
New Alaska-exclusive cast members include a Lumberjack leading axe-throwing demonstrations, a field ecologist serving as a naturalist and a Cultural Heritage Guide from Alaska Native Voices offering workshops and storytelling onboard.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The 420 square feet the axe-throwing business lost was absorbed by neighboring Sinkers, according to a deposition that took place in late 2025.
—Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
The 2014 outbreak in West Africa likely began with an axe.
—Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026
The axe has fallen on several network and cable TV shows this year, including a few long-running mainstays.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
But in mathematics, there is a weird relationship between the equipment and the landscape, as though developing a new type of ice axe causes hitherto unknown mountain ranges to emerge.
—Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Other activities this year include mechanical bull riding, karaoke, axe throwing, and a nonprofit row featuring regional organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Special props to the jolly axe-throwing head of adventure, Nye Rees; personable Brasserie maitre d’, Javier Padron; and trainer Peter Sullivan, who explained the finer points of fasting for women whilst crucifying my glutes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
New Alaska-exclusive cast members include a Lumberjack leading axe-throwing demonstrations, a field ecologist serving as a naturalist and a Cultural Heritage Guide from Alaska Native Voices offering workshops and storytelling onboard.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The 420 square feet the axe-throwing business lost was absorbed by neighboring Sinkers, according to a deposition that took place in late 2025.
—Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
The 2014 outbreak in West Africa likely began with an axe.
—Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026
The axe has fallen on several network and cable TV shows this year, including a few long-running mainstays.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
But in mathematics, there is a weird relationship between the equipment and the landscape, as though developing a new type of ice axe causes hitherto unknown mountain ranges to emerge.
—Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Other activities this year include mechanical bull riding, karaoke, axe throwing, and a nonprofit row featuring regional organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Special props to the jolly axe-throwing head of adventure, Nye Rees; personable Brasserie maitre d’, Javier Padron; and trainer Peter Sullivan, who explained the finer points of fasting for women whilst crucifying my glutes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Axe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axe. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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