wand

noun

ˈwänd 

1

: a slender staff carried in a procession : verge

2

: a slender rod used by conjurers and magicians

3

: a slat six feet by two inches used as a target in archery

also : a narrow strip of paper pasted vertically on a target face

4

: any of various pipelike devices

especially : the rigid tube between the hose and the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner

5

: a handheld device used to enter information (as from a bar code) into a computer

Examples of wand in a Sentence

The cashier used a wand to scan the bar code.

Recent Examples on the Web

That way, at the end of a surgery, operating room staff can wave a wand over the patient and get an alert if any sponges are still inside. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

It can be used in wand mode or as a handheld vac with the option to attach the duster crevice tool for cleaning tight nooks and crannies. —Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

Another popular aspect of the lodge is an interactive scavenger hunt where guests use a wand throughout the resort. —Michelle Spitzer, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

The steam wand is big and powerful and, helpfully, comes with a thermistor built into it. —Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, slender stick, from Old Norse vǫndr; probably akin to Old English windan to wind, twist — more at wind entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing wand

• magic wand

Rhymes for wand

• awned
• blond
• blonde
• bond
• conned
• dawned
• donned
• fond
• frond
• gond
• maund
• pawned

Kids Definition

wand

noun

ˈwänd 

1

: a slender rod used in performing magic

2

: a light rod or tube