wedge

noun \ ˈwej \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

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

If North Korea is permitted to retain the capability to hit Tokyo or Seoul, this could embolden North Korea and drive a wedge between the United States, Japan and South Korea.

— zack cooper, Washington Post, "Abe is back to talk to Trump — with a list of Japan’s concerns about North Korea," 6 June 2018
On Monday, Trump appeared eager to drive a wedge between the Eagles' players and their fans.

— NBC News, "Trump cancels Eagles' Super Bowl ceremony, citing anthem dispute," 4 June 2018
The Satechi hub itself is a single compact aluminum wedge that’s doesn’t take up too much space in your bag or on your desk.

— chaim gartenberg, The Verge, "The best USB-C hub for your new laptop," 1 June 2018
Architect Denis Laming led the design of the pavilions, which include buildings shaped like spaceships, crystal formations jutting forth from the earth, and triangular wedges.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Futuroscope is the wicked-cool theme park you’ve never heard of," 30 May 2018
My wedges keep me comfortably grounded through the race, and even lasted past John’s own exit.

— alice bell, Vogue, "Becoming Meghan Markle: One Vogue Writer Puts Royal Fashion Protocol to the Test," 19 May 2018
So pull out your stylish hats and wedges and suit up in linen for the unofficial kickoff to summer in New York City.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "What to Expect at the 2018 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic," 26 Apr. 2018
Kim could also be trying to drive a wedge between the United States and South Korea, since Moon has put great emphasis on ending more than six decades of military conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

— choe sang-hun, The Seattle Times, "North Korea’s Kim Jong Un halts testing of nuclear weapons, missiles," 20 Apr. 2018
Now the apparel maker has released a new line of workwear made from a fabric named after the iron forge that was once used to make pitons, chocks, and wedges.

— wes siler, Outside Online, "This Patagonia Apron Is Made for Working," 12 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

An iconic town clock that was knocked over and washed away during the floods that destroyed Ellicott City businesses last week has been found -- wedged in mud on the Patapsco River — and recovered.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, Howard County Times, "Iconic Ellicott City clock found, retrieved from muddy Patapsco," 2 June 2018
Here, Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken filet gets topped with honey butter spread and wedged between a warm roll.

— Southern Living, "Chick-fil-A's Newest Lemonade Is a Southerner's Dream," 31 May 2018
Instead of wedging pets under seats in a main cabin, or stowing them in cargo, New Pet Airways plans to go ahead and give them the whole plane.

— rachel rabkin peachman, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Travel Safely With Pets," 25 May 2018
From a tiny window wedged between a coffee roaster and a CrossFit gym in a Pasadena shopping center, owner Joseph Hogan is slinging some outstanding New York-style pizza.

— ben mesirow, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Ultimate Pizza Crawl Through Northeast L.A.," 23 May 2018
There’s nothing better than the tender meat wedged between the bones of a wing.

— jimmy o. yang, Bon Appetit, "Boneless Wings Are a Lie!!!!," 21 May 2018
The three lawmen who’d wedged in through the door opened fire — the Olathe sergeant, a county deputy and another Olathe officer.

— joe robertson, kansascity, "SWAT told Olathe police not to go in, body cams show. They did anyway and killed a woman | The Kansas City Star," 5 May 2018
When an ear exam discovered there was still something dark wedged in her ear canal, her doc pulled out six more roach parts, but that still wasn't all of it.

— matthew martinez, miamiherald, "A cockroach was 'thrashing about' inside her ear. It took nine days to get it out | Miami Herald," 4 May 2018
After the Wolfpack went on the road in 2016 to beat North Carolina, Chubb trotted off the field with a branch from Kenan Stadium’s iconic hedge wedged in his mouth.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Colts will draft Bradley Chubb. But only if we’re lucky.," 3 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of wedge

15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

wedge Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

fill, heap, jam-pack, load, pack;

WEDGE Defined for English Language Learners

wedge

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