wedge

1 of 2

noun

1
: a piece of a substance (such as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something
2
a
: something (such as a policy) causing a breach or separation
b
: something used to initiate an action or development
3
: something wedge-shaped: such as
a
: an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge
b
: the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters
c
: a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole
d
: an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft
4
: a golf shot made with a wedge

called also wedge shot

Illustration of wedge

Illustration of wedge
  • W wedge 1

wedge

2 of 2

verb

wedged; wedging

transitive verb

1
: to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge
2
a
: to force or press (something) into a narrow space : cram
b
: to force (one's way) into or through
3
: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge

Examples of wedge in a Sentence

Noun He used a wedge to split the firewood. A wedge held the door open. The battalion formed a wedge and marched toward the enemy. Verb She wedged her foot into the crack. The dog got wedged between the couch and the end table. I wedged myself into the car's back seat. She wedged the door open.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
After spending a day watching them, Schumacher shot and processed the sheep on a wedge of cliff rock just big enough to hold the two hunters and the ewe. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024 Squeeze an orange wedge into the glass and rub the orange peel around the rim for extra flavor. Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024 Be sure to serve this with lemon wedges on the side, since the lentils and barley benefit greatly from a bright jolt right at the end. Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024 His subsequent sand wedge to within six feet of the flag was enough to clinch victory, McCarthy’s fightback suffering a watery end when his third shot plopped into the creek guarding the green. Jack Bantock, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024 Todd Gilliland back to pit road after leaving a wedge wrench in the window. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2024 Analysis by severe weather expert Jeff Halverson A stubborn wedge of chilly, rainy air may be invaded and eroded by a southerly push of milder, more unstable air, ahead of an approaching cold front. Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024 Each chewy wedge contains 5mg of CBD, derived from naturally grown hemp. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024 Pop-up wedge barriers are widely deployed at federal facilities such as military bases and FBI offices. Blayne Alexander, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
The van was visibly partially wedged under the back of the bus before it was towed away. Fox 19 Digital Staff, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024 Cool and wet weather prevailed today as chillier air wedged up against the Appalachians refused to budge. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024 Another longtime customer wedged into the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in ordering space, which holds four people, tops. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024 The trailer of the truck could be seen wedged against the beams of the bridge, stopping it from falling into the water below. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 2 Mar. 2024 One portion of the docks – a 40-boat slip – was temporarily wedged there and the other – an 18-boat slip – was wedged across the river along the Taylor Slough, blocking private docks on Bethel Island. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 The fetal remains were found wedged inside the toilet bowl, according to the coroner's report. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2024 He was thrown through a window as the room collapsed; his body was found wedged beneath a mobile home 50 yards downstream. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 It is wedged on 42 acres of land between U.S. Highway 287, Interstate 35W and Interstate 30 on the east edge of downtown. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wedge.' 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 wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near wedge

Cite this Entry

“Wedge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedge. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

wedge

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece of wood or metal with a pointed edge used especially to split wood or rocks and to lift heavy weights
2
: something (as a piece of pie or land) shaped like a triangle
3
a
: something (as a policy or action) that causes a separation or break
the decision drove a wedge between them
b
: something that serves to open the way for an action or development

wedge

2 of 2 verb
wedged; wedging
1
: to fasten or tighten by or as if by driving in a wedge
2
a
: to press or force into a narrow space
wedged a stick into the crack
b
: to force (one's way) into or through
wedged his way into the crowd
3
: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge

More from Merriam-Webster on wedge

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