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

The total eclipse will be visible to those in a hundred-and-fifteen-mile-wide sash, called the path of totality, slung from the hip of Sinaloa to the shoulder of Newfoundland. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024

To Avery, dropping into Nassau and dealing with Trott held no big risk of being slung into a dungeon for piracy. —Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

In addition, the Willet Room is a swanky riverside lounge that slings punchy cocktails, rare whiskey, and soulful fare. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

One by one, the children took turns slinging jumbo marshmallows at the poster, aiming to strike the giant in his forehead just as David did in the Bible passage. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024

On March 6, Parker carried the bag, slung effortlessly over one shoulder, when visiting an art gallery in London with her husband, Matthew Broderick. —Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024

The stars are held together by gravity, which prevents them being slung into intergalactic space as the galaxies rotate. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024

The singer sported an all-black ensemble with some silver sparkle — a red-and-white jacket was slung over her shoulder. —Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2024

Those young reservists who had already been released were recognizable for the assault rifles slung over their shoulders, alongside their backpacks. —Neri Zilber, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Jan. 2024

Noun

The rescuer carefully guides the hiker’s hands through a sling, one at a time. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024

For many people, slings are easier to use than baby wraps. —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024

First, a pair of cranes will hoist the shuttle from a horizontal position to a vertical one; the spacecraft will be attached to a sling, a large metal frame that’ll support it during the move. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2024

Volkov appeared on the broadcast with his arm in a sling. —Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024

The video shows Volkov with his arm bandaged and in a sling. —USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024

Pascal has attended several awards shows in recent weeks wearing a giant sling because of a fall. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 16 Jan. 2024

The compact sling bag boasts a volume of 1L and sits at 7.5 inches by 2 inches by 5 inches, while the strap can be adjusted to extend as long as 41.7 inches, making for a comfortable fit on a wide range of body types. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2024

The Refuel Bar slings smoothies and healthy snacks, while 24-hour in-room dining will bring you personalized nutritious meals. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024

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

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