peg

1 of 4

noun

ˈpeg 

1

a

: a small usually cylindrical pointed or tapered piece (as of wood) used to pin down or fasten things or to fit into or close holes : pin, plug

b

British : clothespin

c

: a predetermined level at which something (such as a price) is fixed

2

a

: a projecting piece used as a support or boundary marker

b

: something (such as a fact or issue) used as a support, pretext, or reason

a news peg for the story

3

a

: one of the movable wooden pegs set in the head of a stringed instrument (such as a violin) that are turned to regulate the pitch of the strings see violin illustration

b

: a step or degree especially in estimation

4

: a pointed prong or claw for catching or tearing

5

British : drink

poured himself out a stiff peg

—Dorothy Sayers

6

: something (such as a leg) resembling a peg

7

: throw

especially : a hard throw in baseball made in an attempt to put out a base runner

peg

2 of 4

verb

pegged; pegging

transitive verb

1

a

: to put a peg into

b

British : to pin (laundry) on a clothesline

2

: to attach or fix as if with a peg: such as

a

: to pin down : restrict

b

: to fix or hold (something, such as prices or wage increases) at a predetermined level or rate

c

: to place in a definite category : identify

was pegged as an intellectual

3

: to mark by pegs

4

: throw

intransitive verb

1

: to work steadily and diligently

—often used with away

2

: to move along vigorously or hastily : hustle

peg

3 of 4

adjective

variants or pegged

: wide at the top and narrow at the bottom

peg pants

PEG

4 of 4

abbreviation

polyethylene glycol

Synonyms

Noun

• chapter
• cut
• degree
• grade
• inch
• notch
• phase
• place
• point
• stage
• step

Verb

• assort
• break down
• categorize
• class
• classify
• codify
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• group
• place
• range
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

Examples of peg in a Sentence

Noun

Her coat hung on a peg by the door.

took the arrogant student down a peg

Verb

Is the tent pegged down all the way?

peg the price of wheat at its current level

His bonus is pegged to how many sales he makes each year for the company.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, the Giants leaned into the tendencies of their pitching staff — and the natural advantages of Oracle Park — by beefing up their defense. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

That's because Kimmel didn't take Rodgers down a peg. —Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pegge, probably from Middle Dutch

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1543, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1681, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing peg

• a peg to hang (something) on
• a square peg in a round hole
• clothes-peg
• mumble peg
• mumble-the-peg
• mumblety-peg
• off-the-peg
• peg away
• peg leg
• peg out
• peg top
• peg-topped
• take/knock/bring someone down a peg
• tent peg
• tuning peg

Kids Definition

peg

1 of 2 noun

ˈpeg 

1

a

: a small usually cylindrical pointed piece (as of wood) used to pin down or fasten things or to fit into or close holes

a tent peg

b

: a tapered wooden piece in a musical instrument (as a violin) that is turned to tighten or loosen a string to adjust pitch

2

: a piece that sticks out and is used as a support or boundary marker

3

: step entry 1 sense 5, degree

take someone down a peg

4

: throw entry 2 sense 1

a quick peg to first base

peg

2 of 2 verb

pegged; pegging

1

a

: to fasten or mark with pegs

b

: to fix or hold (as prices) at a level or rate of increase

2

: to place in a class or group

3

: throw entry 1 sense 1a

4

: to work steadily and diligently

Medical Definition

PEG

abbreviation

1

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

2

polyethylene glycol