wing

1 of 2

noun

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
a
: a left or right section of an army or fleet : flank
b
: one of the offensive positions or players on either side of a center position in certain team sports
also : flanker
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
wingy adjective

Illustration of wing

Illustration of wing
  • 1 coverts
  • 2 primaries
  • 3 secondaries

wing

2 of 2

verb

winged; winging; wings

transitive verb

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 punchesA. J. Liebling
4
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

intransitive verb

: to go with or as if with wings : fly
often used with it
winged it to Europe
Phrases
in the wings
1
: out of sight in the stage wings
2
: close at hand in the background : readily available
had a plan waiting in the wings
on the wing
1
: in flight : flying
2
: in motion
under one's wing
: under one's protection : in one's care
took her under his wing

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 Web
Noun
Butler Middle School in Waukesha experienced a series of bomb and school shooting threats over the span of a week following a social media post from a popular right-wing account, Libs of TikTok, that was critical of a principal's 2022 social media post. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2024 And Tarasenko will jump right into a key role Thursday, with Maurice putting him on the left wing of Florida’s top line with Aleksander Barkov at center and Sam Reinhart at right wing. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 The two checked in with their respective friend groups and then spent two to three hours getting to know each other over wings. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Three of the pelicans that were brought in with less severely fractured wings are recuperating at the hospital. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Phelan has been a target for the most conservative wing of the Republican Party for his backing of Paxton’s impeachment. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2024 Biden's approval ratings are middling, and dissatisfaction with him from some wings of his party was evident again Tuesday night. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 That’s because the two restaurants’ menus hit all parts of the day (such as pancakes for breakfast and boneless wings at night). Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Where birria tacos are served to the rhythm of hip-hop tunes piped through a sound system and Mexican street corn is seasoned like lemon-pepper wings. Detroit Free Press, 6 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

Dictionary Entries Near wing

Cite this Entry

“Wing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wing. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wing

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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
ˈwiŋd
ˈwiŋ-əd
adjective
winglike
-ˌlīk
adjective

wing

2 of 2 verb
1
: 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

noun
1
: 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
winged adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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