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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for wedge
Synonyms: Verb
cram, crowd, crush, jam, ram, sandwich, shoehorn, squeeze, stuff
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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
Modeled by Martha Hunt, the collection includes both casual and dressy slides and sandals, on-trend embellishments, and a range of go-anywhere wedge espadrilles. — The Cut, "Spring’s Most Versatile Shoe Is Under $200," 20 Mar. 2018 Serve over rice with additional cilantro, sliced red chiles, and lime wedges if desired. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Red Curry Shrimp and Cilantro Rice," 9 Oct. 2018 The cabin’s calling card is its slanting wedge roof, which, in addition to cutting a sleek silhouette, allows for more space in the living areas. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Koto prefab cabins are the definition of sleek Scandinavian style," 5 Sep. 2018 Return teams no longer will be able to use wedge blocks and can deploy only three players outside the 15-yard setup zone. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "Will Pat O'Donnell respond to competition in fight to stick with Bears?," 13 July 2018 Finish the ensemble with a metallic wedge sandal like the version by Ancient Greek Sandals — just casual but cool for lakeside dinners, Wine Country tastings or staycations. — SFChronicle.com, "25 ways to chase your perfect Bay Area summer," 11 July 2018 For the last eight years, Ullman has been the executive vice president of The Sherry-Netherland, a 38-story luxury apartment hotel across Fifth Avenue from Central Park, a pitching wedge from Trump Tower. — Logan Jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "For true moderates, New Yorker tops Dem dream ticket," 9 July 2018 The stylish mom-to-be stepped out today wearing a simple, white eyelet dress paired with light blue ankle tie wedges. — Kara Thompson, Town & Country, "Pippa Middleton Looked Fresh In White Eyelet While at Wimbledon," 5 July 2018 Much of this might seem the amusing backwash of a raucous democracy, but competing claims of patriotism are helping wedge America apart. — Doug Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, "As Americans celebrate Independence Day, what does it mean to be a patriot?," 2 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
But to take your eyes next-level, Pham suggests wedging some of the same waterproof eyeliner along your lower lash lines. — Michelle Sulcov, Glamour, "I Went Through Monolid Bootcamp to Finally Learn How to Do a Smoky Eye," 30 Aug. 2018 Passengers pile food and drink on small tables wedged between bunks. — Anatoly Kurmanaev, WSJ, "Putin’s Quest for Growth Spells Doom for Russia’s Iconic Railcars," 26 Sep. 2018 Your Car Will Be Roomier Remember those days of sitting three across in the backseat, with a cooler wedged between your feet? — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "What the Road Trip Looks Like in 2030," 20 July 2018 Microsoft is in the relatively unique situation to provide both the streaming and the games, and to use one to bolster the other to try and wedge its streaming service into the mainstream. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "Can Microsoft Finally Make Game Streaming Work?," 8 Oct. 2018 Her death spurred a decision to place permanent state monitors at Carlton Palms, which is at the end of a rural road in the rural community of Lake Jem wedged between farmland and lakes. — Jason Ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Carlton Palms facility for mentally disabled makes misleading reports, group charges," 6 Mar. 2018 Our driver wedges the SUV right in front of the Jitney. — Tim Teeman, Town & Country, "How Jessica Chastain Won the Hollywood Game by Refusing to Play," 14 Nov. 2017 Prior to Gorske’s first bite of his milestone burger on Friday, a crowd gathered to watch him eat the all-beef patty topped with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, wedged inside a sesame-seed bun. — Madison Roberts, PEOPLE.com, "Wisconsin Man Eats His 30,000th Big Mac, Averaging Nearly 2 Per Day for 46 Years," 7 May 2018 But in a possible rush to finish, more contentious social issues, which are often wedged into the spending plan, may be deferred to later in the legislative session, which ends in June. — Vivian Wang And Jesse Mckinley, New York Times, "9 Key Issues Await Albany in Final Week of Budget Negotiations," 25 Mar. 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about wedge
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
11 Dec 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for wedge
The first known use of wedge was before the 12th century
Keep scrolling for more
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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on wedge
What made you want to look up wedge? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Find the Cousins
-
- Which pair shares a common word ancestor?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share wedge
Resources for wedge