sword

noun

ˈsȯrd 

often attributive

1

: a weapon (such as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority

2

a

: an agency or instrument of destruction or combat

b

: the use of force

the pen is mightier than the sword

—E. G. Bulwer-Lytton

3

: coercive power

4

: something that resembles a sword

swordlike

ˈsȯrd-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of sword

• 1 pommel
• 2 hilt
• 3 guard
• 4 blade

Phrases

at swords' points

: mutually antagonistic : ready to fight

Synonyms

• blade
• steel
• sabre

Examples of sword in a Sentence

once upon a time dueling with swords was the gentlemanly way to settle a point of honor

Recent Examples on the Web

Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025

The medieval sword was given to a specialty conservation workshop for further preservation and analysis, Science in Poland said in a July 4 news release. —Aspen Pflughoeft july 4, Miami Herald, 4 July 2025

And new threats are re-opening old debates of whether AI is a shield or a sword. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Seeing Discord and Andy finally fight (with Thurman wielding a sword like her character in Kill Bill) was like a dream come true for Mahoney. —Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swert sword

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sword

• double-edged sword
• fall on one's sword
• put (someone) to the sword
• sword cane
• sword dance
• sword fern
• sword grass
• sword knot
• sword of Damocles
• two-edged sword

Rhymes for sword

• board
• bored
• chord
• cord
• corde
• cored
• fjord
• floored
• gored
• gourd
• hoard
• horde

Kids Definition

sword

noun

ˈsō(ə)rd 

ˈsȯ(ə)rd

1

: a weapon having a long blade usually with a sharp point and edge

2

: the use of force

swordlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective