sling

1 of 6

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 6

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 6

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 6

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

slinger

5 of 6

noun (3)

sling·​er ˈsliŋ-ər 

plural -s

: one that slings or uses a sling as a weapon

especially : a soldier of former times armed with a sling

slinger

6 of 6

noun (4)

sling·​er ˈsliŋ-ər 

1

: one that uses a sling (as to support, hoist, or carry)

especially : a workman that attaches slings to articles for hoisting : rigger

2

: a device for centrifugally throwing oil into a bearing and usually also for keeping dirt from getting into it

Synonyms of sling

Verb (1)

• throw
• toss
• hurl
• fling

Verb (2)

• hang
• swing
• dangle

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

Verb (1)

slinging stones at the fence post

Verb (2)

sling a hammock between the trees

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Noe returned to the wharf and slung the dead rat across the water. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

However, in the four years since Show Me the Body’s last album, the banjo-slinging frontman’s perspective has changed dramatically. — Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026

Noun

Simple and sophisticated, this pebbled leather sling bag is the perfect addition to any travel wardrobe. — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

The divisive trend first crossed my desk when Jennifer Lawrence stepped out in Paloma Wool’s sheer sarong-style version of the piece last summer, pairing the flowy garment with a cool oversized T-shirt and strappy sling-backs. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 July 2026

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) and Noun (4)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

Middle English, from slingen to sling, hurl + -er

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

Rhymes for sling

• bing
• bring
• ching
• cling
• ding
• fling
• ging
• hing
• jing
• kling
• ling
• ming

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