wedge

play

noun \ ˈwej \

Definition of wedge

1 :a piece of a substance (such as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something

2 a :something (such as a policy) causing a breach or separation

b :something used to initiate an action or development

3 :something wedge-shaped: such as

a :an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge

b :the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters

c :a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole

d :an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft

4 :a golf shot made with a wedge — called also wedge shot

See wedge defined for English-language learners

See wedge defined for kids

Examples of wedge in a Sentence

He used a wedge to split the firewood.
A wedge held the door open.
The battalion formed a wedge and marched toward the enemy.

Recent Examples of wedge from the Web

Copal dresses up brisket with a hefty wedge of smoked, grilled pineapple, and Jack’s BBQ tops everything from pancakes to cocktails with smoked peaches and oranges.

— jackie varriano, The Seattle Times, "Taking fruit beyond sweet: Pickle it, smoke it, serve it with meat," 30 Aug. 2017
The isolated neighborhood, tucked into the wedge created by the intersection of W. Atkinson and N. Teutonia avenues, was plagued by drug-dealing, street gambling and prostitution.

— john diedrich, jsonline.com, "'No face, no case': How one man tried to permanently silence the witnesses to his crimes," 18 Aug. 2017
When it's done grilling, slice into wedges for a smoky side dish, or cut into strips and eat it like a pork sandwich, piled high with veggies, cheese, and pickles.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "'Beer-Can Cabbage' Is Officially the Hottest Recipe of the Summer," 10 Aug. 2017
But the chancellor’s demand that all EU countries accept a quota of refugees creates its own European wedge.

— The Economist, "Emmanuel Macron is revitalising the European Union—and dividing it," 20 July 2017
The drink is garnished with a pickle, olives and lime and lemon wedges and served with a celery salt rim.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "Simple cocktail or meal in a glass, the Bloody Mary can be the cure for what ails you," 19 July 2017
Amal looked fabulous in a thigh-length sleeveless yellow dress and strappy wedge heels.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "New Parents’ Night Out! Amal and George Clooney Dine with Pals in Italy a Month After Twins’ Birth," 19 July 2017
The 6.2 million square foot attraction is proposed in an unincorporated wedge of northwest Miami-Dade County, immediately north of the city of Hialeah, between Interstate 75 and the Florida Turnpike Extension.

— brittany wallman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "American Dream mega-project could swamp Broward roads, officials fear," 7 July 2017
What are the building blocks of your style: Skinny jeans, blazers, black dresses, loose blouses, wedge booties/heels.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Fashion feeds Mayan Cafe owner's need for innovation," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wedge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of wedge

Origin and Etymology of wedge

Middle English wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology

wedge

verb

Definition of wedge

wedged; wedging

transitive verb

1 :to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge

2 a :to force or press (something) into a narrow space :cram

b :to force (one's way) into or through

3 :to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge

intransitive verb

:to become wedged

See wedge defined for English-language learners

Examples of wedge in a Sentence

She wedged her foot into the crack.
The dog got wedged between the couch and the end table.
I wedged myself into the car's back seat.
She wedged the door open.

Recent Examples of wedge from the Web

The report described cases where infants were found unresponsive on air mattresses or wedged into couch cushions or, more often, simply lying next to their parents in bed.

— michael alison chandler, Washington Post, "Virginia parents to receive free baby boxes, part of a campaign to promote safe sleep," 23 Aug. 2017
That's the exact height where the Kias run the risk of becoming wedged beneath the rail, which poses fatal risks to occupants.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Slightly Taller Guardrails Could Save Your Life," 27 July 2017
The boat remained wedged until two boats from the FWA came and towed him out.

— frank s. abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "'We're moving in the right direction': Fox Waterway cresting just below record," 17 July 2017
Remind yourself of your power and roll your eyes at the uncertainty trying to wedge its way between you and your self-worth.

— jodie layne, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 17 July 2017
Often, the couples barely touched, wedged apart by either a coffee table or plant and their unforeseen lives together.

— chloe fein, The Cut, "Brides in the 1800s Used These Wedding Cards Like Instagram," 14 July 2017
The vacant land, wedged between the Carlsbad mall and the highway, was created in the early 1970s with sediment dredged from the lagoon.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Trio of hotels set for Buena Vista Lagoon," 26 June 2017
The intruder wedged the rifle barrel into the doorjamb and burst in, bashing her against the coat closet, then looked around, shouldered the rifle and blew her brother away.

— debra mckinney, Alaska Dispatch News, "A killer comes knocking: 1985 Anchorage murder remains unsolved," 19 June 2017
That's a fist fight waiting to happen, since the seats are wedged so close together.

— christopher elliott, chicagotribune.com, "Travel Trouble: Customer paid extra for British Airways seat, but it didn't recline," 13 June 2017

First Known Use of wedge

15th century

wedge Synonyms

Synonyms

cram, crush, jam, ram, sandwich, shoehorn, squeeze, stuff, crowd

Related Words

fill, heap, jam-pack, load, pack

WEDGE Defined for English Language Learners

wedge

play

noun

Definition of wedge for English Language Learners

: a piece of wood, metal, etc., with one pointed end and one thicker end that is used to split something, to fit into a space, to separate two things stuck together, etc.
: something that is shaped like a triangle or wedge
: a golf club that is used for hitting short, high shots

wedge

verb

Definition of wedge for English Language Learners

: to force (someone or something) into a very small or narrow space
: to use a wedge or similar object to keep (something, such as a door or window) in an open or closed position