wedge

noun

\ ˈwej

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

verb

wedged; wedging

Definition of wedge (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to become wedged

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing wedge Learn More About wedge

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The wedge shape pushes the ends of the fibers down and gets tighter as the nail is driven deeper. — Bradley Ford, Popular Mechanics, 29 June 2022 This certainly was Russian president Vladimir Putin’s intent: to strike fear into the European countries that are upping their economic and military aid to Ukraine and, in the same stroke, drive a wedge into the Western alliance. — Paul Hockenos For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, 5 May 2022 Hamilton said that the U.S. funding package was significant not only for its scope but also in its aim to drive a wedge between Moscow and other states. — NBC News, 30 Apr. 2022 Ever wonder why so many supercars have that distinctive wedge shape? — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2022 The swimmer has a wedge-shape area of the circle CDF within which every point on shore is closer to him than his original target. — Quanta Magazine, 25 Aug. 2021 And the wider wedge shape to the head will crack firewood logs into smaller, handier pieces. — Outdoor Life, 23 Feb. 2021 These layers take on a triangular wedge shape, as shown in the figure below, with warm air riding up and over a ramp of subfreezing air trapped against the surface. — Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2020 There's a bevy of must-have women's shoes on sale for all seasons—think wedge sandals and espadrilles for summer; loafers, booties, and knee boots for fall. — Talia Abbas, Glamour, 15 July 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Stand in line, place your order, then find a spot to wedge in with all the other revelers. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2022 So your daughters are working and raising your grandchildren and holding a lot together through it all and managed to wedge a vacation in there. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 Republicans have been increasing their support among minorities, because often these groups are more culturally conservative in ways that wedge them off from the current Democratic Party. — New York Times, 17 Mar. 2022 Alternatively, a thicker blade will not only be stronger than a thinner one but can help wedge difficult materials (like wood) open with more force. — Wes Siler, Outside Online, 3 Sep. 2020 Males that don’t end up partnered at first will hunt down amplexed duos and spend hours, even days, trying to pry them apart, yanking at the first male’s limbs, or trying to wedge his body between theirs. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2022 That total could get added to the overall vote total and potentially wedge a winner into the starting lineup. — Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 4 Feb. 2022 In upholding the Biden administration’s requirement for millions of health care workers, the decision could wedge health care workers between opposing state and federal policies. — New York Times, 15 Jan. 2022 The Jimmy tool from our friends at iFixit has a thin strip of steel on the tip that can be used to wedge, pry, or shimmy open just about anything. — Michael Calore, Wired, 18 Nov. 2021 See More

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.