slave

\ ˈslāv

How to pronounce slave (audio)

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Definition of slave

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a person held in servitude as the chattel of another

2 : one that is completely subservient to a dominating influence

3 : a device (such as the printer of a computer) that is directly responsive to another

4 : drudge, toiler

slave

slaved; slaving

Definition of slave (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to work like a slave : drudge

2 : to traffic in slaves

transitive verb

1 : to make directly responsive to another mechanism

2 archaic : enslave

slave

Definition of slave (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : of, relating to, involving, or used for slaves or slavery slave traders a slave auction slave owners a slave economy Many authentic slave narratives were influenced by Harriet Beecher Stowe; on the other hand, authentic slave narratives were among Stowe's primary sources for her own imaginative work, Uncle Tom's Cabin.— Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

b : held in or forced into servitude : enslaved born of slave parents slave workers

c : favoring or legally permitting slavery a slave territory the slave states

2 : operated by remote control the device now tucked away behind the dials isn't properly a clockwork but a … slave unit activated by an electric clock inside the bank — The New Yorker specifically : responding to manipulation of the master controls of an apparatus There's also provision for attaching external slave flash units for greater flash range when using print film. — Herbert Keppler … had the ultimate compact-disc system—a master machine and four optional slave machines—that will load and play 250 discs altogether … — William D. Marbach

Slave

geographical name

\ ˈslāv

How to pronounce Slave (audio)

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Definition of Slave (Entry 4 of 4)

river 258 miles (415 kilometers) long in Canada flowing from the western end of Lake Athabasca north into Great Slave Lake

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about slave

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Examples of slave in a Sentence

Noun He treats her like a slave. Do it yourself! I'm not your slave! Verb I slaved all morning to get the work done on time. She's been slaving away at her homework.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The site, which remains a working farm, includes nine of the original slave cabins that were built during the antebellum period. — CBS News, "Wedding-planning websites downplay venues that were slave plantations," 11 Dec. 2019 Their attention to immaterial forces is reflected in a kind of lottery run by Josephine’s mother that determines which slaves are allowed to escape. — Ron Charles, Washington Post, "‘The Revisioners’ reminds us of slavery’s long reach, through the generations," 10 Dec. 2019 The last question asks the children to pick a price for a slave. — NBC News, "Missouri teacher on leave after asking kids to 'set your price for a slave'," 10 Dec. 2019 There’s been a whirlwind of Confederate statues brought down, streets renamed and other removals of references to the South’s slave-holding past in recent years, but readers are prepared to draw the line at Dixie Highway. — Dan Sweeney, sun-sentinel.com, "Rename Dixie Highway? Hard no, most readers say.," 3 Dec. 2019 The idea that the United States should make reparations to the descendants of slaves has been part of the national conversation since the slave trade ended, but there has been little formal action and much debate. — Genevieve Bookwalter, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago suburb will use recreational marijuana sales tax proceeds to fund local reparations program," 27 Nov. 2019 According to historical accounts, Master treated his slaves horribly. — Akira Kyles, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Grave marker of Carroll County settler, infamous slave owner replaced; historical society takes in old ledger," 24 Nov. 2019 Only 400 people reside within its eight square miles, roughly a quarter of them Gullah—descendants of African slaves who toiled on Low Country plantations. — Allison Weiss Entrekin, Condé Nast Traveler, "Daufuskie Is a Laid-Back Island With No Stoplights," 14 Nov. 2019 And curious illiterate slaves might persuade educated ones to teach them to read and write. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, "Real World Economics: Klobuchar’s college plan deserves analysis," 3 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Too busy wrapping presents to slave away in the kitchen? — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "7 Keto Cookie Recipes You Need This Holiday Season," 6 Dec. 2019 Bristol's wealth in the 17th century was largely built on the slave trade, with more than 2,000 slaving vessels setting out from the city's port between 1698 and 1807, when Parliament abolished the slave trade, according to Bristol Museums. — Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN, "British university appoints history professor to examine its links to transatlantic slave trade," 30 Oct. 2019 Whatever the reason, come Thanksgiving, a whole nation of cooks sequester themselves in the kitchen to slave over a hot oven and multiple pans on the stove. — Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, "A whole Thanksgiving meal cooked on the grill and smoker," 20 Nov. 2019 Freedom and democracy are more important than slaving ourselves away for money. — Vivienne Chow, Quartz, "Hong Kong’s protesters are trying to break free from the “old seafood” generation," 27 Aug. 2019 These recipes beg to be made ahead, but if the idea of slaving over a hot Instant Pot all afternoon gives you any form of discomfort, pick just one and tell your picnic pals to pack the rest of the basket. — Lisa Futterman, chicagotribune.com, "How to Instant Pot your picnic, with recipes for pate, savory cheesecake and dessert," 18 July 2019 Participants working long hours had a 29 percent greater risk of stroke, and those working long hours for 10 years or more slaved their way into a 45 percent greater risk of stroke. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, "You’ll be shocked how much working long hours spikes your stroke risk," 21 June 2019 How that woman must have slaved, washing for five others, not counting herself. — Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: Like sands through the hourglass, these are the loads of our lives!," 9 June 2019 Some see the positives (like rising employment numbers), while others — including the activist group Left Eye — see WorryFree as something akin to slave labor. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "Why 'Sorry to Bother You' is the weirdest, wittiest comedy you'll see all summer," 3 July 2018

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

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Last Updated

14 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Slave.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slave. Accessed 16 December 2019.

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More Definitions for slave

slave

noun

English Language Learners Definition of slave

(Entry 1 of 2)

: someone who is legally owned by another person and is forced to work for that person without pay

disapproving : a person who is strongly influenced and controlled by something

slave

verb

English Language Learners Definition of slave (Entry 2 of 2)

: to work very hard

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

slave

\ ˈslāv

\

Kids Definition of slave

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a person who is owned by another person and can be sold at the owner's will

2 : a person who is strongly influenced and controlled by something a slave to fashion

slave

slaved; slaving

Kids Definition of slave (Entry 2 of 2)

: to work very hard, for long hours, or under difficult conditions … I could only see myself slaving … in the tobacco fields.— Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped

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WORD OF THE DAY

mellifluous

having a smooth flowing sound

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