Illustration of sword
- 1 pommel
- 2 hilt
- 3 guard
- 4 blade
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.—
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton3
: coercive power
4
: something that resembles a sword
see also at swords' points
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
All except librarian Elaine Ambrose, hell-bent on protecting the British Museum’s artifacts from the Blitz yet somehow connected to the sorceress Nimue, herself a protector of a certain mythical sword.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Flaming swords or not, Boise’s newest steakhouse on the block clearly wants impressed diners who view El Gaucho as fine-dining fire.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Somebody had to fall on the sword of figuring out which burgers qualify as New York City's best, which ones travelers should go out of their way for, if not plan an entire trip around.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Guests will learn about navigation, see sword fights and do other maritime activities.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sword
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Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Flaming swords or not, Boise’s newest steakhouse on the block clearly wants impressed diners who view El Gaucho as fine-dining fire.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Somebody had to fall on the sword of figuring out which burgers qualify as New York City's best, which ones travelers should go out of their way for, if not plan an entire trip around.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Guests will learn about navigation, see sword fights and do other maritime activities.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sword
Cite this Entry
“Sword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sword. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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