plural screws
1
a
: a simple machine of the inclined plane type consisting of a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits
b
: a nail-shaped or rod-shaped piece with a spiral groove and a slotted or recessed head designed to be inserted into material by rotating (as with a screwdriver) and used for fastening pieces of solid material together
2
a
: a form that resembles a screw : spiral
b
: a turn of a screw
also
: a twist like the turn of a screw
c
: a device (such as a corkscrew) that resembles a screw
3
: a worn-out horse
4
chiefly British
: a small packet (as of tobacco)
5
: a prison guard
6
: a person who bargains shrewdly
also
: skinflint
7
: a propeller especially of a ship
8
b
: pressure or punitive measures intended to coerce
—used chiefly in the phrase put the screws on or put the screws to
9
a
vulgar
: an act of sexual intercourse
b
vulgar
: a partner in sexual intercourse
see also have a screw loose
screwed; screwing; screws
1
a(1)
: to attach, fasten, or close by means of a screw
(2)
: to unite or separate by means of a screw or a twisting motion
(3)
: to press tightly in a device (such as a vise) operated by a screw
(4)
: to operate, tighten, or adjust by means of a screw
(5)
: to torture by means of a thumbscrew
b
: to cause to rotate spirally about an axis
2
3
: to increase the intensity, quantity, or capability of
If one can screw up the courage to ask, word-of-mouth recommendations are very good.—
Gregory Simon, quoted in Consumer Reports
Gregory Simon, quoted in Consumer Reports4
a(1)
: to mistreat or exploit through extortion, trickery, or unfair actions
especially
: to deprive of or cheat out of something due or expected
(2)
: to treat so as to bring about injury or loss (as to a person's reputation)
… use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies.—J. W. Dean III
—often used as a generalized curseJ. W. Dean IIIscrew you!
b
: to extract by pressure or threat
5
vulgar
: to copulate with
1
: to rotate like or as a screw
2
: to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion
3
vulgar
: copulate
screwer
noun
Examples of screw in a Sentence
Verb
I screwed the boards together.
The cupboards are screwed to the wall.
Screw the cap on tight.
Screw the light bulb into the fixture.
The lid screws onto the jar.
The light bulb screws right in.
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The treads fit into the mortises and are attached to the stringers by driving nails or screws through the outer face of the stringers into the ends of the treads.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
With the other cable, clamp the negative end of one battery to a bare metal surface in the car with the dead battery, like a screw or bolt.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The law prohibits the sale and distribution of screw-base and bayonet-base compact fluorescent lamps.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Herbert then led the Chargers to a 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles one week after surgery to insert a plate and some screws into his hand.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 1 Jan. 2026
An individual screw that connects to a circuit board might cost three dollars on its own, but the part is commonly not sold by itself, requiring a full part replacement.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Choose reusable bottles with screw tops to keep germs from your hands or bag away.
—Christina Manian, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
At its previous Gallatin facility, the company produced structural screws, nails and its Quik Drive collated fastening systems.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Dec. 2025
Lz Granderson, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
If Jay had said no, I would have been screwed.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025
Harrison is also a fan of the hair screw tool that’s designed to pick up long strands of hair and loose pet fur with ease.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
The folks at Grayl have devised a rugged heat-proof screw-together accessory that breaks down to a press knob, two-piece press rod and fine-mesh filter screen.
—Simon Heptinstall
december 11, New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Once everything is mixed, screw the lid back on, shake and enjoy.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
This is a story about corruption - Trump using government power to screw consumers and gain control of the media.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Kinto’s travel tumbler ($34) is a handsome receptacle available in a number of colors, with a lid that screws on tight and enough insulation to keep a cup of coffee warm all day long.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Reinstall the vent covers—Once everything is fully dry, carefully screw the vent covers back into place.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025
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
Since September, the United States has steadily turned the screws, accusing former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government of using multiple vessels to move drugs north toward American shores.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The treads fit into the mortises and are attached to the stringers by driving nails or screws through the outer face of the stringers into the ends of the treads.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
With the other cable, clamp the negative end of one battery to a bare metal surface in the car with the dead battery, like a screw or bolt.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The law prohibits the sale and distribution of screw-base and bayonet-base compact fluorescent lamps.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Herbert then led the Chargers to a 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles one week after surgery to insert a plate and some screws into his hand.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 1 Jan. 2026
An individual screw that connects to a circuit board might cost three dollars on its own, but the part is commonly not sold by itself, requiring a full part replacement.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Choose reusable bottles with screw tops to keep germs from your hands or bag away.
—Christina Manian, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
At its previous Gallatin facility, the company produced structural screws, nails and its Quik Drive collated fastening systems.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Dec. 2025
Verb
And apparently early exposure to Tarantino didn’t screw him up.
—Lz Granderson, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
If Jay had said no, I would have been screwed.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025
Harrison is also a fan of the hair screw tool that’s designed to pick up long strands of hair and loose pet fur with ease.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
The folks at Grayl have devised a rugged heat-proof screw-together accessory that breaks down to a press knob, two-piece press rod and fine-mesh filter screen.
—Simon Heptinstall
december 11, New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Once everything is mixed, screw the lid back on, shake and enjoy.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
This is a story about corruption - Trump using government power to screw consumers and gain control of the media.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Kinto’s travel tumbler ($34) is a handsome receptacle available in a number of colors, with a lid that screws on tight and enough insulation to keep a cup of coffee warm all day long.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Reinstall the vent covers—Once everything is fully dry, carefully screw the vent covers back into place.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screw. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
screw
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a simple machine consisting of a solid cylinder with a winding groove around it and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits
b
: a nail-shaped or rod-shaped metal piece with a winding groove used for fastening solid pieces together
2
3
screw
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to attach, fasten, or close with a screw
b
: to operate, tighten, or adjust with a screw
c
: to turn or twist on a screwlike thread
2
: to twist out of shape
a face screwed up in pain
3
: to increase in amount
trying to screw up enough nerve to ask
screwer
noun
Medical Definition
screw
noun
: a threaded device used in bone surgery for fixation of parts (as fragments of fractured bones)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share