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.
Recent Examples on the WebHelen Regan, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
With its four wings folded, the 3.3-inch by 7.8-inch device could be carried in a pocket.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Sammy serves as a stabilizing force (Henderson fills the van with humanizing warmth), while Jessie plays the eager upstart Lee takes under her resentful wing.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
As political polarization has taken hold and Indiana has become more and more red, candidates running in primaries often try to cater to the most conservative, or most liberal, of their party wing.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
The Quds Force is Iran’s unconventional warfare wing that has supported Tehran’s proxies and regional partners with money, weapons and equipment for decades.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
The audience numbered perhaps fifty people, including several dancing couples and two bootleggers, whose taping rigs sat on their tables, beside their chicken wings.
—Justin Taylor, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Where the play gains its wings is in the robbery that many of the cast inflicts on the story, stealing scenes with rapid fire precision.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia waits in the wings with interest in Cancelo.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024
Set 15 years after a nuclear disaster in Japan, the 2014 Godzilla reimagined the classic monster's origins and featured the titular beast battling giant winged parasitic creatures called MUTOs (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism) that feed off nuclear energy and waste (and also warheads).
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2023
When the bird wings off the roof of a skyscraper at sunset, poor Bob is practically peeing himself.
—Chantel Tattoli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Dec. 2023
Though arm-strength grades lowered his draft stock, Purdy was able to wing a deep out from the far hash to Brandon Aiyuk that converted a third-and-7, leading to the fourth TD.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2023
Her eyes were fully lined with a black pencil and winged out in a matte finish at the edges.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Nov. 2023
No matter what its winged may wearers call it—kohl in the Middle East, sormeh in Iran, kajal in India, tiro in Nigeria, mebari in Japan—Hankir discovered that eyeliner is wielded across the global south as a powerful tool.
—Sarah Khan, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
Taurus April 20-May 20 There's a fresh sense of fun winging its way to you today.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
The adults are less commonly observed and small, measuring about one-quarter of an inch in length, shiny black, and winged.
—Zach Mentz, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2023
Noun
Since April 5, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) – the KNU’s military’s wing – and its allies have seized military outposts and bases on the outskirts of Myawaddy.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
With its four wings folded, the 3.3-inch by 7.8-inch device could be carried in a pocket.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Sammy serves as a stabilizing force (Henderson fills the van with humanizing warmth), while Jessie plays the eager upstart Lee takes under her resentful wing.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
As political polarization has taken hold and Indiana has become more and more red, candidates running in primaries often try to cater to the most conservative, or most liberal, of their party wing.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
The Quds Force is Iran’s unconventional warfare wing that has supported Tehran’s proxies and regional partners with money, weapons and equipment for decades.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
The audience numbered perhaps fifty people, including several dancing couples and two bootleggers, whose taping rigs sat on their tables, beside their chicken wings.
—Justin Taylor, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Where the play gains its wings is in the robbery that many of the cast inflicts on the story, stealing scenes with rapid fire precision.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia waits in the wings with interest in Cancelo.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
With so many styles on the market (waiter’s friend, electric, lever, winged, and more), opening a bottle of wine should be seamless and quick, not challenging and messy.
—Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024
Set 15 years after a nuclear disaster in Japan, the 2014 Godzilla reimagined the classic monster's origins and featured the titular beast battling giant winged parasitic creatures called MUTOs (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism) that feed off nuclear energy and waste (and also warheads).
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2023
When the bird wings off the roof of a skyscraper at sunset, poor Bob is practically peeing himself.
—Chantel Tattoli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Dec. 2023
Though arm-strength grades lowered his draft stock, Purdy was able to wing a deep out from the far hash to Brandon Aiyuk that converted a third-and-7, leading to the fourth TD.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2023
Her eyes were fully lined with a black pencil and winged out in a matte finish at the edges.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Nov. 2023
No matter what its winged may wearers call it—kohl in the Middle East, sormeh in Iran, kajal in India, tiro in Nigeria, mebari in Japan—Hankir discovered that eyeliner is wielded across the global south as a powerful tool.
—Sarah Khan, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
Taurus April 20-May 20 There's a fresh sense of fun winging its way to you today.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
The adults are less commonly observed and small, measuring about one-quarter of an inch in length, shiny black, and winged.
—Zach Mentz, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2023
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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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