wedge
noun
\
Definition of wedge
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
2a : 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
wedge
verbDefinition of wedge (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge
2a : 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
: to become wedged
Illustration of wedge
Noun
W wedge 1
In the meaning defined above
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Synonyms for wedge
Synonyms: Verb
cram, crowd, crush, jam, ram, sandwich, shoehorn, squeeze, stuff
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Examples of wedge in a Sentence
Noun
He used a wedge to split the firewood. A wedge held the door open. The battalion formed a wedge and marched toward the enemy.Verb
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 on the Web: Noun
Vicky Hurst aced the 119-yard 17th hole with a pitching wedge, while Sam Troyanovich holed out from the tee on the 193-yard seventh hole with a 5-iron. — Joe Juliano, Philly.com, "Anna Nordqvist discovers she has a fan club at ShopRite LPGA Classic," 8 June 2018 Sprinkle with scallions and serve with a lime wedge on the side. — Maya Wilson, Anchorage Daily News, "Whether you call it sablefish or black cod, make this dish as soon as you possibly can," 7 June 2018 Shake well and strain into a martini glass (rim the glass with a blood orange wedge and sugar). — Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle, "5 cocktails for your Royal Wedding watch party," 18 May 2018 Fun fact: this is the same mint julep served at Churchill Downs Recipe: Woodford Thoroughbred 1 1/2 ounces Woodford Reserve Ginger beer (or ginger ale) Garnish with a lemon wedge. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, "You're busy. Here's how to throw an epic Kentucky Derby party with minimal prep," 11 Apr. 2018 Bruise tangerine zest a bit with fingers to release oils, skewer with tangerine wedge, and set in drink. — Elaine Johnson, Sunset, "Tangerine Whiskey Sour," 22 Jan. 2018 Transfer to a bowl; top with a lime wedge and serve with sliced cucumber tossed with lime juice and herbs. — Lori Powell And Janis Jibrin, Good Housekeeping, "Simple Tofu Green Curry Recipe," 7 Dec. 2017 Working with one wedge at a time, toss in flour, then in buttermilk mixture (letting any excess drip off), and then in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help adhere. — Marian Cooper Cairns, Country Living, "Oven Avocado Fries," 2 Nov. 2017 Charlotte is often described as two cities, one that is a crescent and one that is a wedge. — Steve Harrison And Gavin Off, charlotteobserver, "Residents say a death 'has to happen for the city to make changes.' They may be right.," 19 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
And because individual salaries are artificially capped (instead of determined by the free market), teams can wedge three or even four stars onto one payroll. — Michael Rosenberg, SI.com, "One Big Question Must Be Answered Before the NBA Can Correct Its Competitive Balance," 10 July 2018 Drizzle wedges with oil to coat and season all over with salt. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit, "Charred Cabbage with Goat Cheese Raita and Cucumbers," 28 May 2018 The bed of a dump truck was wedged under the bottom of the overpass that carries the Florida Turnpike over Interstate 4, jamming traffic earlier this week. — Kevin Williams, ajc, "Wedged dump truck under overpass clogs traffic," 15 June 2018 The school district is wedged between Sheldon and Deer Park, just west of the San Jacinto River. — Samantha Ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Channelview ISD students recount deadly bus crash in Alabama," 13 Mar. 2018 Backers of the measure had earlier attempted to wedge into must-pass defense and farm bills a provision that would have limited Mr. Trump’s power to use the 1962 Trade Expansion Act to impose tariffs based on national-security concerns. — Vivian Salama, WSJ, "Senate Takes Symbolic Step to Assert Power on Trade," 11 July 2018 But where that spirit comes from is a story is wedged into the dark corners of South Africa’s recent history. — Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "South Africa's unlikely ultramarathoner helps others cross the finish line," 6 July 2018 That’s because the Command Bar looks for all the world like a regular soundbar with an Echo Dot wedged into the center of it. — Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "Polk Command Bar review: As seen near TV," 3 July 2018 Eventually, the shell will expand to the point that the transmitter falls off, or Luna will wedge herself into a rocky bottom and damage the radio or knock it loose, Schmid said. — Greg Stanley, USA TODAY, "Loggerhead sea turtle tastes the freedom of the ocean," 8 May 2018These 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.
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
A Drudge of Lexicographers Presents:...
A Drudge of Lexicographers Presents: Collective Nouns
What do you call a group of cats?
Statistics for wedge
Last Updated
16 Oct 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for wedge
The first known use of wedge was before the 12th century
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More Definitions for wedge
wedge
noun
English Language Learners Definition of wedge
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of wedge (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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
See the full definition for wedge in the English Language Learners Dictionary
wedge
noun
\
Kids Definition of wedge
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a piece of wood or metal that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting logs or for tightening by being forced into a space
2 : something with a triangular shape a wedge of cake
wedge
verbKids Definition of wedge (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to crowd or squeeze in I wedged the car into a tight space.
2 : to fasten, tighten, or separate with a triangular piece of wood or metal
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