: 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
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
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