saber

1 of 2

noun

sa·​ber ˈsā-bər How to pronounce saber (audio)
variants or chiefly British sabre
1
: a cavalry sword with a curved blade, thick back, and guard
2
a
: a light fencing or dueling sword having an arched guard that covers the back of the hand and a tapering flexible blade with a full cutting edge along one side and a partial cutting edge on the back at the tip compare épée, foil entry 4
b
: the sport of fencing with the saber

Illustration of saber

Illustration of saber
  • saber 1

saber

2 of 2

verb

variants or chiefly British sabre
sabered or sabred; sabering or sabring ˈsā-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce saber (audio)

transitive verb

: to strike, cut, or kill with a saber

Examples of saber in a Sentence

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
Notwithstanding Russia’s saber rattling, Washington and its European allies announced more expansive military support to Kyiv, including F-16s, new munitions, and missiles that would allow long-range strikes against Crimea and into Russian territory. Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 However, the light saber his image was brandishing was red, normally the color of the blade used by the dark side, Variety noted. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025 Blindfolded, Jodee Berry was led out to the restaurant's parking lot where it was revealed her grand prize was actually a brand new Star Wars doll, a green toy Yoda (complete with light saber), meant as an April Fool's Day prank. John Tufts, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2025 Arguably the best change is a playable Darth Maul getting his iconic double-bladed saber. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for saber

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French sabre, modification of German dialect Sabel, from Middle High German, probably of Slav origin; akin to Russian sablya saber

First Known Use

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of saber was in 1680

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Saber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saber. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

saber

noun
sa·​ber
variants or sabre
ˈsā-bər
: a cavalry sword with a curved blade

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