wedge

\ 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 Learn More about wedge

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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 Tiny misunderstandings are easily swept aside and won't drive a wedge between you and a trusted companion. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Oct. 22, 2019: Sagittarius, pay it forward; Leo, you want to hear the truth," 22 Oct. 2019 The scandal drove a wedge between Jordyn and the famous family. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Jordyn Woods Says She's Single, Describes Her Ideal Man: 'I'm Not Picky'," 21 Oct. 2019 This threatens to drive a wedge between Jojo and Imaginary Hitler, who is none too pleased at the turn of events. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Review: Jojo Rabbit walks a fine line between humor and heart," 21 Oct. 2019 All of these competing elements lead to conflict as Ingrith tries to simultaneously drive a wedge between her son and future daughter-in-law and wipe out Maleficent and her fairy populace. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Disney Delivers a Truly Bizarre Sleeping Beauty Sequel," 16 Oct. 2019 Even today, in post-invasion Iraq, a minority of extremist Sunnis and Shiites are quick to amplify these historical distinctions to further drive a wedge between their communities. — Peter Schwartzstein, Smithsonian, "What the Restoration of Iraq’s Oldest University Says About the Nation’s Future," 4 Sep. 2019 Top with cilantro and serve with lime wedges alongside. — Cybelle Tondu, Country Living, "Chicken and Black Bean Nachos," 17 June 2019 Transfer to a large platter, sprinkle with cilantro leaves, and serve with lime wedges. — Khalil Hymore, Redbook, "On Tonight's Menu Are These Lip-Smackingly Good Drumstick Recipes," 23 Sep. 2013 When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel and cut into small wedges. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Marinated Beets," 28 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb In Louisiana last year, an expectant father wedged a melon containing blue goo into an alligator's jaws. — Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, "Partygoers thought they'd built a clever gender reveal device. It turned out to be a deadly pipe bomb," 28 Oct. 2019 But Lawrence Guy read the play perfectly, wedged his way in between Landry and Bitonio and stole the pitch. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, "Browns can’t overcome 3 straight first-quarter turnovers in 27-13 loss to the Patriots, fall to 2-5," 27 Oct. 2019 It was fixed in the eye socket and held in place hands-free, wedged behind the loose skin around the eye thanks to the orbicularis oculi, the muscle that closes the eyelid. — Austin Grossman, The Atlantic, "Monocles Were Never Cool," 13 Oct. 2019 With Larson teasing that the comic strip may have a new online life, The Chronicle’s Peter Hartlaub found the first Far Side comics — wedged next to the TV listings. — Taylor Kate Brown, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: A Market Street you’d actually want to go to," 8 Oct. 2019 In a nearly three-minute video released by police, the man can be seen repeatedly swinging the pipe like a baseball bat against the church’s front doors before breaking a lock and wedging one of the doors open. — Alex Wigglesworth, latimes.com, "Surveillance video shows pipe-wielding man breaking into historic Santa Ana church," 3 July 2019 Footage from OnScene TV showed the motorcycle wedged underneath the front end of the white Dodge Ram pickup. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Motorcyclist dies after collision with pickup near I-8 in El Cajon," 24 July 2019 But Christensen pointed to SpaceX’s record of wedging past veteran competitors in the launch business. — Samantha Masunaga, latimes.com, "SpaceX faces daunting challenges if it’s going to win the internet space race," 28 June 2019 Entering the weekend, Dixon trailed championship leader Josef Newgarden by more than 90 points with superstars Alexander Rossi and Simon Pagenaud wedged between them in the standings. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "IndyCar: Scott Dixon ready to drive like he's got nothing to lose," 23 June 2019

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.

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Last Updated

13 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Wedge.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedges. Accessed 21 November 2019.

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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

verb

English 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

\ ˈwej