lash

verb (1)

\ˈlash

lashed; lashing; lashes

Definition of lash

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to move violently or suddenly : dash

2 : to thrash or beat violently rain lashed at the windowpanes

3 : to make a verbal attack or retort —usually used with out

transitive verb

1a : to whip or fling about violently the big cat lashed its tail about threateningly

b : to strike or beat with or as if with a whip waves lashed the shore

2a : to assail with stinging words

b : drive, whip lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech

lash

noun

Definition of lash (Entry 2 of 3)

1a(1) : a stroke with or as if with a whip

(2) : the flexible part of a whip also : whip

b : punishment by whipping

2 : a beating, whipping, or driving force

3 : a stinging rebuke

4 : eyelash

5 : the clearance or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts

lash

verb (2)

lashed; lashing; lashes

Definition of lash (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to bind with or as if with a line

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Examples of lash in a Sentence

Noun

They gave the sailor 50 lashes for disobeying orders. The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Some are cooperative yet guarded, while others lash out or throw tantrums. — Christy Tennant Krispin, Vox, "What Mark Wahlberg’s new movie Instant Family gets right and wrong about foster care," 29 Nov. 2018 Outside the structure many more bedded down on blankets or cardboard sheets in the grass, with some lashing tarps to the foliage for rudimentary shelter. — Rebecca Blackwell, The Seattle Times, "Migrants to rest, hope to win mass transport to Mexico City," 31 Oct. 2018 Beauty vlogger James Charles is known for a few things: great highlighter, lashes for days, and leaving thirsty comments all over the internet. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Beauty Vlogger James Charles Apologizes to Shawn Mendes for Leaving Sexual Comments on His Instagram Posts," 5 Oct. 2018 Moments later, as the other individuals attempted to brace the lashing animal, one person was whipped with its tail, sending them backwards. — Elizabeth Zwirz, Fox News, "Florida alligator caught on video head-butting trapper in brazen effort to break free," 2 Oct. 2018 Now sometimes this is legitimate, given Trump's tendency of lashing out at those around him. — Howard Kurtz, Fox News, "Is the president really seething over Sessions and other setbacks?," 21 Sep. 2018 At a dinner with Mattis and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, among others, Trump lashed out at a vocal critic, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. — Robert Costa, The Seattle Times, "New book reveals a ‘nervous breakdown’ of Trump’s presidency," 4 Sep. 2018 Meanwhile, there's half-sister Samantha Grant, who accused Meghan of ignoring her father and lashed out at Chrissy Teigen along the way (fun times). — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "The Queen Reportedly Has Sympathy for Meghan Markle's Family Drama," 29 Aug. 2018 Part of me doesn't quite believe that Carey lets anyone touch her famously long lashes with a $9 mascara, but the other part wants to run out and hoard LashBlast. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Mariah Carey's Makeup Artist Uses This Drugstore Mascara on the Singer," 12 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Usually, Eugenie opts for a darker eye look, rimming her lash lines in black liner while keeping the rest of her skin bare and neutral. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "Princess Eugenie's Wedding Makeup Is Flushed and Romantic," 12 Oct. 2018 There are no in-demand treatments being taught, like lash extensions or gel manicures. — refinery29.com, "Makeup in Lockup: Beauty, Power, & Danger in Women's Prisons," 2 June 2018 An additional Instagram post showcased the eye makeup, which was complemented by Dua Lipa's sky-high black lashes. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Dua Lipa Shared an Instagram of Her Dramatic Cat Eye," 12 Nov. 2018 Supporters said the result was more back lash against allowing only certain private investors to control growing facilities than opposition to marijuana. — David Eggert, The Seattle Times, "Marijuana backers look for Midwest breakthrough in November," 10 Oct. 2018 Swift was trying to give her all on stage and those pesky lashes just got in the way! — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Taylor Swift Ripping Off Her Fake Eyelashes in Concert Is a Big Mood," 5 Nov. 2018 Each lash was glossy, fluttery, black, and perfectly separated. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Princess Eugenie's Royal Wedding Look is A Masterclass In Bridal Makeup," 12 Oct. 2018 Well, just like in the election, this is a white lash. — Fox News, "Rudy Giuliani reacts to Paul Manafort's plea deal," 14 Sep. 2018 The 40-year-old mom of six posted an Instagram selfie with her mini-mes, all posing with matching long, blonde beach waves, similar matte makeup, long lashes and their signature glossy pouts. — Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE.com, "Seeing Triple! Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Two Daughters Are Nearly Indistinguishable in New Selfie," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.