wing

1 of 2

noun

plural wings
often attributive
1
a
: 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
b
: any of various anatomical structures (as of a flying fish or flying lemur) providing means of limited flight
2
: an appendage or part resembling a wing in appearance, position, or function: such as
a
: a device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming or staying afloat
water wings
b
: ala
c
: a turned-back or extended edge on an article of clothing
d
: 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
f
: a vane of a windmill or arrow
g
: sail
h
: an airfoil that develops a major part of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft
i
chiefly British : fender sense d
3
: a means of flight or rapid progress
4
: the act or manner of flying : flight
take wing
5
: a side or outlying region or district
6
: a part or feature of a building usually projecting from and subordinate to the main or central part
the servants' wing
7
a
: one of the pieces of scenery at the side of a stage
b
wings plural : the area at the side of the stage out of sight
8
a
: a left or right section of an army or fleet : flank
b
: one of the offensive positions or players on either side of a center position in certain team sports
also : flanker
9
a
: either of two opposing groups within an organization or society : faction
b
: 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
10
a
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a group and lower than a division
b
: two or more squadrons of naval airplanes
11
: a dance step marked by a quick outward and inward rolling glide of one foot
12
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 adjective

Illustration of wing

Illustration of wing
  • 1 coverts
  • 2 primaries
  • 3 secondaries

wing

2 of 2

verb

winged; winging; wings

transitive verb

1
a
: to fit with wings
b
: to enable to fly or move swiftly
2
a
: to traverse with or as if with wings
b
: to effect or achieve by flying
3
: to let fly : dispatch
would start to wing punchesA. J. Liebling
4
a
: to wound in the wing : disable the wing of
winged the duck
b
: to wound (as with a bullet) without killing
winged by a sniper
5
: 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
1
: out of sight in the stage wings
2
: close at hand in the background : readily available
had a plan waiting in the wings
on the wing
1
: in flight : flying
2
: 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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English winge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Swedish vinge wing; akin to Sanskrit vāti it blows — more at wind entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of wing was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wing

Cite this Entry

“Wing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wing. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

wing

1 of 2 noun
1
: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect flies
2
: an extension or part resembling a wing in shape, appearance, or position
especially : a flat or broadly expanded plant or animal part
a stem with woody wings
3
: an extension from the side of an armchair
4
: a part that extends from the side of an airplane
5
: the act or manner of flying : flight
6
: a part sticking out from a main part
the rear wing of the house
7
plural : the area at the side of the stage out of sight of the audience
8
: one of the positions or players on each side of a center position or line
9
: a particular group within an organization : faction
10
: a unit of a military force and especially an air force
winged
ˈwiŋd
ˈwiŋ-əd
adjective
winglike
-ˌlīk
adjective

wing

2 of 2 verb
1
: to pass through in flight
2
: to go with or as if with wings : fly
3
: to wound in the wing
wing a duck
also : to wound without killing
wing a deer
4
: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines
wing it

Medical Definition

wing

noun
1
: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly
2
: a winglike anatomical part or process : ala
especially : any of the four winglike processes of the sphenoid bone see greater wing, lesser wing
winged adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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