wing

1 of 2

noun

ˈwiŋ

plural wings

often attributive

Synonyms of wing next

: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly

also : such an appendage (as of an ostrich) even though rudimentary or modified so no longer having the power of flight

: any of various anatomical structures (as of a flying fish or flying lemur) providing means of limited flight

: an appendage or part resembling a wing in appearance, position, or function: such as

: a device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming or staying afloat

water wings

: ala

: a turned-back or extended edge on an article of clothing

: a sidepiece at the top of an armchair

e(1)

: a foliaceous, membranous, or woody expansion of a plant especially along a stem or on a samara or capsule

(2)

: either of the two lateral petals of a papilionaceous flower compare keel entry 2 sense 2b

: a vane of a windmill or arrow

: sail

: an airfoil that develops a major part of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft

chiefly British : fender sense d

: a means of flight or rapid progress

: the act or manner of flying : flight

take wing

: a side or outlying region or district

: a part or feature of a building usually projecting from and subordinate to the main or central part

the servants' wing

: one of the pieces of scenery at the side of a stage

wings plural : the area at the side of the stage out of sight

: a left or right section of an army or fleet : flank

: one of the offensive positions or players on either side of a center position in certain team sports

also : flanker

: either of two opposing groups within an organization or society : faction

: a section of an organized body (such as a legislative chamber) representing a group or faction holding distinct opinions or policies compare left wing, right wing

: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a group and lower than a division

: two or more squadrons of naval airplanes

: a dance step marked by a quick outward and inward rolling glide of one foot

wings plural : insignia consisting of an outspread pair of stylized bird's wings which are awarded on completion of prescribed training to a qualified pilot, aircrew member, or military balloon pilot

wingy

ˈwiŋ-ē

adjective

wing

2 of 2

verb

winged; winging; wings

transitive verb

: to fit with wings

: to enable to fly or move swiftly

: to traverse with or as if with wings

: to effect or achieve by flying

: to let fly : dispatch

would start to wing punches—

A. J. Liebling

: to wound in the wing : disable the wing of

winged the duck

: to wound (as with a bullet) without killing

winged by a sniper

: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines : improvise

winging it

intransitive verb

: to go with or as if with wings : fly

—often used with it

winged it to Europe

Phrases

in the wings

: out of sight in the stage wings

: close at hand in the background : readily available

had a plan waiting in the wings

on the wing

: in flight : flying

: in motion

under one's wing

: under one's protection : in one's care

took her under his wing

Example Sentences

Noun In the library's north wing, you'll find the current periodicals. She works in the pediatric wing of the hospital. The guest room is in the east wing. Verb The team winged to Moscow for the finals. She winged the ball over to first base. The soldier was winged by a stray bullet. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The 6-foot-1 Czech Republic wing, who plays for DME Academy in Florida, is OSU’s second commitment during the past week. —

Ndaschel, oregonlive, 17 Apr. 2023 The individual, identified as Jack Teixeira of Dighton, Massachusetts, is a member of the guard's intelligence wing, The New York Times reports. —

Catherine Garcia, The Week, 13 Apr. 2023 Right Now Mini Global Climate Concerts will go to United Nations Human Rights climate justice initiatives and MusiCares, Recording Academy’s charitable wing providing music people with health and human services. —

Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2023 My classroom is at the end of a first-floor wing, 20 yards from the exit. —

Nick Fuller Googins, Men's Health, 5 Apr. 2023 Related: League source expects Celtics to sign former Raptors wing Justin Champagnie to fill out roster Offensively, the Celtics were putrid at times. —

Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2023 In flight, the bats cut a gothic figure, with swooping wings that span three feet. —

Natasha Frost, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023 However, underscoring the conversations is the obvious contrast between the progressive left of the Democratic Party, represented by Johnson, and the moderate wing of the party, represented by Vallas. —

Mark Guarino, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2023 One potential problem that didn’t occur came when wing Terance Mann, who joined the starting lineup as the nominal point guard in early January, was moved to the second unit. —

Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2023

Verb

The content is produced solely by The Conversation. CNN — After a few difficult years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, people are finally winging their way across the globe again; families are being reunited and sights are being seen. —

Sally Ferguson, CNN, 27 Mar. 2023 Don’t go in blind and just try to wing it. —

Greg Presto, Men's Health, 27 Jan. 2022 The first rule of thumb is simple: Do not wing it. —

Country Living, 13 May 2020 Throughout the entire night, Swift kept her hair straight, her eyeliner winged, and her lips her signature shade of red. —

Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2023 The move comes with the team’s traditional point guards in flux: Reserve John Wall is out at least another week with an abdominal injury while longtime starter Reggie Jackson was moved to the bench two weeks ago, his ballhandling duties initially going to wing Terance Mann. —

Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2023 Just wing it with a nontraditional holiday feast. —

Christopher Michel, Country Living, 14 Dec. 2022 Other shoppers, though, were content to wing it. —

Arkansas Online, 26 Nov. 2022 Line can wing it. —

Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.