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Definition of saw

 (Entry 1 of 4)

past tense of see

saw

noun (1)
\ ˈsȯ How to pronounce saw (audio) \

Definition of saw (Entry 2 of 4)

: a hand or power tool or a machine used to cut hard material (such as wood, metal, or bone) and equipped usually with a toothed blade or disk

saw

verb
sawed\ ˈsȯd How to pronounce sawed (audio) \; sawed or sawn\ ˈsȯn How to pronounce sawn (audio) \; sawing\ ˈsȯ(-​)iŋ How to pronounce sawing (audio) \

Definition of saw (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cut with a saw
2 : to produce or form by cutting with a saw
3 : to slash as though with a saw

intransitive verb

1a : to use a saw
b : to cut with or as if with a saw
2 : to undergo cutting with a saw
3 : to make motions as though using a saw sawed at the reins

saw

noun

Definition of saw (Entry 4 of 4)

: maxim, proverb
Other Words from saw More Example Sentences Learn More about saw

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Other Words from saw

Noun (1)

sawlike \ ˈsȯ-​ˌlīk How to pronounce sawlike (audio) \ adjective

Verb

sawer \ ˈsȯ(-​ə)r How to pronounce sawer (audio) \ noun

Examples of saw in a Sentence

Verb He sawed the boards in half. This blade is too dull for sawing.

First Known Use of saw

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for saw

Noun (1)

Middle English sawe, from Old English sagu; akin to Old High German sega saw, Latin secare to cut

Noun

Middle English sawe, from Old English sagu discourse; akin to Old High German & Old Norse saga tale, Old English secgan to say — more at say entry 1

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Time Traveler for saw

Time Traveler

The first known use of saw was before the 12th century

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Statistics for saw

Cite this Entry

“Saw.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sawlike?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=saw00002. Accessed 8 December 2019.

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More Definitions for saw

saw

verb

English Language Learners Definition of saw

: to cut or shape (wood, metal, etc.) with a saw

See the full definition for saw in the English Language Learners Dictionary

saw

Kids Definition of saw

 (Entry 1 of 4)

past tense of see

saw

noun
\ ˈsȯ How to pronounce saw (audio) \

Kids Definition of saw (Entry 2 of 4)

: a tool or machine with a blade having sharp teeth that is used for cutting hard material (as wood or metal)

saw

verb
sawed; sawed or sawn\ ˈsȯn \; sawing

Kids Definition of saw (Entry 3 of 4)

: to cut or shape with a saw

saw

noun

Kids Definition of saw (Entry 4 of 4)

: a common saying : proverb

saw

Medical Definition of saw

 (Entry 1 of 2)

past of see

saw

noun
\ ˈsȯ How to pronounce saw (audio) \

Medical Definition of saw (Entry 2 of 2)

: a hand or power tool used to cut hard material (as bone) and equipped usually with a toothed blade or disk

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More from Merriam-Webster on saw

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for saw

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with saw

Spanish Central: Translation of saw

Nglish: Translation of saw for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of saw for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saw

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