sling
1 Americannoun
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a device for hurling stones or other missiles that consists, typically, of a short strap with a long string at each end and that is operated by placing the missile in the strap, and, holding the ends of the strings in one hand, whirling the instrument around in a circle and releasing one of the strings to discharge the missile.
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a bandage used to suspend or support an injured part of the body, commonly a bandage suspended from the neck to support an injured arm or hand.
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a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.
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an act or instance of slinging.
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a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.
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Nautical.
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a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.
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slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.
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verb (used with object)
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to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.
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to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.
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to raise, lower, etc., by such means.
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to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely.
to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.
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to suspend.
to sling a hammock between two trees.
idioms
noun
noun
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a simple weapon consisting of a loop of leather, etc, in which a stone is whirled and then let fly
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a rope or strap by which something may be secured or lifted
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a rope net swung from a crane, used for loading and unloading cargo
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nautical
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a halyard for a yard
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(often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached
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med a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck for supporting an injured hand or arm across the front of the body
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a loop or band attached to an object for carrying
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mountaineering a loop of rope or tape used for support in belays, abseils, etc
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the act of slinging
verb
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(tr) to hurl with or as if with a sling
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to attach a sling or slings to (a load, etc)
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(tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling
to sling washing from the line
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informal to throw
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informal (intr) to pay a part of one's wages or profits as a bribe or tip
noun
Other Word Forms
- slinger noun
Etymology
Origin of sling1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (verb) slyngen, from Old Norse slyngva “to sling, fling,” cognate with Old English slingan “to wind, twist”; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the verb, though the sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct origin
Origin of sling2
An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; of uncertain origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I yelled, “How do you like that, you little devil? If you jump on my head again, I’ll sling you clear into Arkansas.”
From Literature
With my satchel slung over one arm and the sludge in my other hand, I headed down the road toward Yonder.
From Literature
The masked assailant’s gun holster, slung between his legs, is what law enforcement terms a universal fit holster and is ill-fitted for a much larger gun.
From Los Angeles Times
It isn’t the sort of number of people you can just decide to sling out, saying “Begone!”
To get older, wiser and have your skin thickened by all the slings and arrows?
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
