the wire
noun
US
: a thin piece of string that the winner of a race breaks through at the end of the race
The marathon ended in a sprint to the wire by the two top runners.
—often used figurativelyThe election went/came (right) down to the wire.
Examples of the wire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This showdown comes down to the wire and Carolina wins with a field goal to clinch the NFC South title.
—
Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
New Zealander Steven Alker was the wire-to-wire winner on the strength of a course-record 11-under 61 in the opening round and a 6-under 66 in the second round.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Another record-breaking elimination Just under the wire for a 2025 designation, in mid-December Brazil was validated by WHO for quashing transmission of HIV between mothers and children.
—Fran Kritz, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Use flexible straps around the trunk with grommets to hold the wire to the stakes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the wire
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Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
New Zealander Steven Alker was the wire-to-wire winner on the strength of a course-record 11-under 61 in the opening round and a 6-under 66 in the second round.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Another record-breaking elimination Just under the wire for a 2025 designation, in mid-December Brazil was validated by WHO for quashing transmission of HIV between mothers and children.
—Fran Kritz, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Use flexible straps around the trunk with grommets to hold the wire to the stakes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the wire
Cite this Entry
“The wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20wire. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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