Illustration of wing
- 1 coverts
- 2 primaries
- 3 secondaries
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
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
winged; winging; wings
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 punches—
A. J. Liebling
A. J. Liebling4
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
: to go with or as if with wings : fly
—often used with it
winged it to Europe
Synonyms
Examples of wing in a Sentence
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebKristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2023
Feaver also pointed out that such attacks on military credibility are not exclusive to Republicans, saying many Democrats have raised alarm bells over concerns that there are a growing number of right-wing extremists in the ranks.
—Michael Lee, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2023
Cook the wings ahead and keep them wrapped in foil.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
The former Phoenix Suns wing pulled off the most improbable four-point play to force overtime against Canada in the bronze medal game early Sunday morning in Manila.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2023
An animal that needs help is most likely one with an obvious injury, such as a broken wing or leg, according to Valerie Johnson, an emergency and critical care specialist at Michigan State University.
—Mika Travis, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2023
Golden Corral Don't miss the new wings and fried chicken on the weekday menu at the crowd-pleasing buffet.
—Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 1 Sep. 2023
The Boston Celtics have bolstered their wing depth and rounded out their roster on Thursday by signing free agent Svi Mykhailiuk to a one-year deal.
—Luke Scotchie, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
However, on Wednesday, new satellite photos analyzed by RFE's Schemes investigation team showed damage to the upper fuselage near the wings of two Il-76s at Pskov.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 31 Aug. 2023
Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2023
What about this video of a saucer losing its tractor-beam grip on a cow and sending it winging over the treetops?
—Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2023
Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia had launched 19 missiles against the Odesa region, including five high-precision winged Onyx missiles and four sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles.
—Hanna Arhirova, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2023
Ukraine's air force reported on the Telegram messaging app that Russia had launched 19 missiles in the Odesa region, including five high-precision winged Onyx missiles and four sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2023
Virgo August 23-September 22 There's something fantastic winging its way to you.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2023
Virgo August 23-September 22 There's no telling what could wing its way to you on a day like this.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023
Then, as Trump’s plane ranged out of sight, Collins threw it back to the CNN studio, where another group of pundits took up the chatter over replays of Trump’s trip to the airport and his flight winging to New York.
—Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2023
As for how the 8 Simple Rules alum is preparing for the next chapter in her life, Kaley revealed her plans to wing the first few months after bringing her daughter home.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 14 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Pull the bolt towards you to secure the wings against the wall.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2023
Feaver also pointed out that such attacks on military credibility are not exclusive to Republicans, saying many Democrats have raised alarm bells over concerns that there are a growing number of right-wing extremists in the ranks.
—Michael Lee, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2023
Cook the wings ahead and keep them wrapped in foil.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
The former Phoenix Suns wing pulled off the most improbable four-point play to force overtime against Canada in the bronze medal game early Sunday morning in Manila.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2023
An animal that needs help is most likely one with an obvious injury, such as a broken wing or leg, according to Valerie Johnson, an emergency and critical care specialist at Michigan State University.
—Mika Travis, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2023
Golden Corral Don't miss the new wings and fried chicken on the weekday menu at the crowd-pleasing buffet.
—Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 1 Sep. 2023
The Boston Celtics have bolstered their wing depth and rounded out their roster on Thursday by signing free agent Svi Mykhailiuk to a one-year deal.
—Luke Scotchie, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
However, on Wednesday, new satellite photos analyzed by RFE's Schemes investigation team showed damage to the upper fuselage near the wings of two Il-76s at Pskov.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 31 Aug. 2023
Verb
Regardless, after 30 years of running a proudly retrograde, ground-and-pound offense in Madison, Wisconsin is going to wing the ball around in 2023 and the years to come.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2023
What about this video of a saucer losing its tractor-beam grip on a cow and sending it winging over the treetops?
—Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2023
Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia had launched 19 missiles against the Odesa region, including five high-precision winged Onyx missiles and four sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles.
—Hanna Arhirova, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2023
Ukraine's air force reported on the Telegram messaging app that Russia had launched 19 missiles in the Odesa region, including five high-precision winged Onyx missiles and four sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2023
Virgo August 23-September 22 There's something fantastic winging its way to you.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2023
Virgo August 23-September 22 There's no telling what could wing its way to you on a day like this.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023
Then, as Trump’s plane ranged out of sight, Collins threw it back to the CNN studio, where another group of pundits took up the chatter over replays of Trump’s trip to the airport and his flight winging to New York.
—Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2023
As for how the 8 Simple Rules alum is preparing for the next chapter in her life, Kaley revealed her plans to wing the first few months after bringing her daughter home.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 14 Mar. 2023
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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
Phrases Containing wing
Articles Related to wing
Dictionary Entries Near wing
Cite this Entry
“Wing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wing. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
wing
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
adjective
ˈwiŋd
ˈwiŋ-əd
winglike
adjective
-ˌlīk
wing
2 of 2 verb1
: 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
noun1
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on wing
Nglish: Translation of wing for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of wing for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wing
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