sling

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈsliŋ 

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to cast with a sudden and usually sweeping or swirling motion

slung the sack over my shoulder

2

: to throw with or as if with a sling

slinging punches

political campaigners slinging mud

3

: to serve (food) to a customer

had a job slinging hamburgers

slinger

ˈsliŋ-ər 

noun

sling

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: an instrument for throwing stones that usually consists of a short strap with strings fastened to its ends and is whirled round to discharge its missile by centrifugal force

b

: slingshot sense 1

2

a

: a usually looped line (as of strap, chain, or rope) used to hoist, lower, or carry something

especially : a hanging bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or hand

b

: a chain or rope attached to a lower yard at the middle and passing around a mast near the masthead to support a yard

c

: a chain hooked at the bow and stern of a boat for lowering or hoisting

d

: a device (such as a rope net) for enclosing material to be hoisted by a tackle or crane

3

: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile

sling

3 of 4

verb (2)

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to place in a sling for hoisting or lowering

2

: to suspend by or as if by a sling

sling

4 of 4

noun (2)

: an alcoholic drink that is served hot or cold and that usually consists of liquor, sugar, lemon juice, and plain or carbonated water

gin sling

rum sling

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• cast
• catapult
• chuck
• dash
• fire
• fling
• heave
• hurl
• hurtle
• launch
• lob
• loft
• peg
• pelt
• pitch
• throw
• toss

Verb (2)

• dangle
• hang
• suspend
• swing

Choose the Right Synonym for sling

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Examples of sling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On the Saints’ next offensive drive, Mister flashed his arm talent, slinging a 52-yard completion to senior receiver Jaylin Harcum. —Aidan Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2023

Lean into the sophisticated and timeless vibe by slinging it on with a camel coat, trousers, and loafers. —Alicia Banilivy, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Sep. 2023

On the sidelines of a game against Moody, Propst slung his headset at a player — his own son — breaking the equipment. —Kyle Whitmire | [e-mail], al, 29 Aug. 2023

Getting a hold of it is now usually a two-person job necessitating a rope slung over its neck. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2023

Others appear to have bolder ideas, like the man who was spotted in the Loch Ness gift shop, a wooden sword slung over his back. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2023

An airliner-style nose/cockpit protrudes from the front while two turbofan engine pods are slung atop the rear fuselage, resulting in a look reminiscent of the Quinn jet from the Avengers movies. —Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2023

And unlike their hard-sided counterparts, they can often be slung over your shoulder or carried like a backpack. —Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2023

Grolier Poetry Bookshop Porter Square Books co-owner publishes book on bookselling Josh Cook has been slinging books at Porter Square Books for almost 20 years. —Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023

Noun

Guard Nishad Strother was not on the field last Wednesday and had his right arm in a sling during a gathering of the offensive linemen Saturday night. —oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2023

Army Special Service Group members used a helicopter to save two children, plucking them from the car with a sling lowered as the aircraft hovered. —Harold Maass, The Week, 23 Aug. 2023

The army’s Special Service Group rescued two children via helicopter by means of a sling lowered from above, a local official and a spokesman for the provincial emergency services said. —Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023

These pieces have functional features such as a full nursing sling, easy nursing clasps that slip on and off, adjustable front-facing straps, and a fourth row of bra closures for comfortable adjusting. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Aug. 2023

In the living room, for example, the rug was custom-made to match the colors in the actress’s favorite painting, while a bronze-and-leather sling seat that actually swings adds a sense of playfulness. —Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023

According to Lacy, Sinatra’s left arm hung in a sling made from a pillowcase. —Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 21 July 2023

This sleek sling from Monos comes in nine bright and neutral colors with a mixture of nylon and vegan leather materials that are also water-repellent for even the most inclement weather. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2023

Other nursing-friendly upgrades include extra support, a full nursing sling, adjustable front-facing straps and super-soft cotton jersey fabric for mothers with sensitive nipples. —Xennia Hamilton, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, probably from Old Norse slyngva to hurl; akin to Old English & Old High German slingan to worm, twist, Lithuanian slinkti

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sling

• sling one's hook
• sling/throw mud

• sling one's hook
• sling/throw mud

Kids Definition

sling

1 of 3 verb

ˈsliŋ 

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

1

: to throw with a sudden sweeping motion

slung the sweater over her shoulder

2

: to throw with a sling

slinger

ˈsliŋ-ər 

noun

sling

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a short strap with strings fastened to its ends that is whirled round to throw something (as a stone)

b

: slingshot

2

: something (as a rope or chain) used to hoist, lower, support, or carry something

especially : a bandage hanging from the neck to support an arm or hand

3

: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile

sling

3 of 3 verb

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

1

: to put in or move or support with a sling

2

: to hang from two points

sling a hammock

Medical Definition

sling

noun

ˈsliŋ 

1

: a hanging bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or hand

2

: a harness especially constructed for supporting a sick animal in a standing position