wend

1 of 2

verb

wended; wending; wends

intransitive verb

: to direct one's course : travel

transitive verb

: to proceed on (one's way) : direct

Wend

2 of 2

noun

: a member of a Slavic people of eastern Germany

Examples of wend in a Sentence

Verb We wended through the narrow streets. We wended our way through the narrow streets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Here, the location becomes increasingly fog-laden and soggy as this sci-fi comedy wends toward apocalyptic, psychosexual mayhem. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024 Carnes’s voice, an Iowa singsong, can wend from weary to impassioned in the course of a single thought. Ruby Tandoh, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024 Another, brought by eight deputies who alleged that they were routinely harassed by the Banditos, is wending its way toward trial after a judge decided last year that the case could move forward. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 The tour, without St. Vincent, will then wend around the country over the next month before wrapping in San Francisco. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wend 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wend.' 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

Verb

Middle English, from Old English wendan; akin to Old High German wenten to turn, Old English windan to twist — more at wind entry 3

Noun

German Wende, from Old High German Winida; akin to Old English Winedas, plural, Wends

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wend was before the 12th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near wend

Cite this Entry

“Wend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wend. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

wend

verb
: to go one's way : proceed
wending their way home
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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