wade

1 of 2

verb

waded; wading

intransitive verb

1
: to step in or through a medium (such as water) offering more resistance than air
2
: to move or proceed with difficulty or labor
wade through the crowd
wade through all the evidence
3
: to set to work or attack with determination or vigor
used with in or into
wade into a task

transitive verb

: to pass or cross by wading
wadable adjective
or wadeable

wade

2 of 2

noun

: an act of wading
a wade in the brook

Examples of wade in a Sentence

Verb We waded into the ocean. I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore. Police waded into the crowd. We waded through the crowded bus station. It took several weeks to wade through all the evidence. We waded our way through the crowd.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Progressive lawmakers on Monday echoed billionaire Elon Musk when Musk waded into the debate over the American healthcare system. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 The founders of Macondo wade through swampland in One Hundred Years of SolitudeMauro González—Netflix Solitude traces the rise and fall of a family, a house, a town—and, in its most conspicuous layer of symbolism, a civilization—over the course of, yes, 100 years. Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024 Rob and Bobby shimmied into their swim trunks, slipped on protective footwear, and then waded into the water: first to the ankles, then gingerly to the knees. Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024 Joe Raedle/Getty Images An environmentalist's take Several environmental groups have waded into the debate, and for many of them, real trees are the winner. Alina Hartounian, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wade 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English wadan; akin to Old High German watan to go, wade, Latin vadere to go

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wade was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near wade

Cite this Entry

“Wade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wade. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

wade

verb
ˈwād
waded; wading
1
: to step in or through a substance (as water, mud, or sand) that is thicker than air
2
a
: to move or proceed slowly or with difficulty
wade through a dull book
b
: to attack or work energetically
waded into their chores
3
: to pass or cross by wading
wade a stream

More from Merriam-Webster on wade

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