seesaw

1 of 2

noun

see·​saw ˈsē-ˌsȯ How to pronounce seesaw (audio)
1
: an alternating up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion or movement
also : a contest or struggle in which now one side now the other has the lead
2
a
: a pastime in which two children or groups of children ride on opposite ends of a plank balanced in the middle so that one end goes up as the other goes down
b
: the plank or apparatus so used
seesaw adjective

seesaw

2 of 2

verb

seesawed; seesawing; seesaws

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move backward and forward or up and down
b
: to play at seesaw
2
: alternate
seesaw between two activities

transitive verb

: to cause to move in seesaw fashion

Examples of seesaw in a Sentence

Noun Their relationship was an emotional seesaw. Verb The lead seesawed between the two runners right up to the finish line. as their boat seesawed in the rough water, the rescue team tried to get the passengers off the sinking ship
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
And this is where most NBA teams are: on that seesaw. David Aldridge, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Alexander recalls asking young women navigating the seesaw of work and parenthood how the company could better support them. Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Case numbers seesawed in the following years before reaching an all-time low in 2021, when Pakistan recorded only one infection Although cases have fluctuated in the past, experts say last year's increase was particularly alarming. Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025 The point is, celebrities are loving this jacket because of its ability to take you through these awkward months of seesawing temperatures while still looking effortlessly stylish. Rosana Lai, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for seesaw

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from reduplication of saw entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seesaw was in 1704

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seesaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seesaw. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

seesaw

1 of 2 noun
see·​saw ˈsē-ˌsȯ How to pronounce seesaw (audio)
1
a
: an up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion or movement
b
: a contest or struggle in which now one side now the other has the lead
2
a
: a game in which two children or groups of children ride on opposite ends of a plank balanced in the middle so that one end goes up as the other goes down
b
: the plank used in the game of seesaw
seesaw adjective

seesaw

2 of 2 verb
seesawed; seesawing
1
: to move like a seesaw
2
: to play on a seesaw

More from Merriam-Webster on seesaw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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