sling

[ sling ]

/ slɪŋ /

noun

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.

a slingshot.

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.

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.

sling-back.

an act or instance of slinging.

a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.

Nautical.

a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.
slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.

verb (used with object), slung, sling·ing.

to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.

to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.

to raise, lower, etc., by such means.

to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely: to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.

to suspend: to sling a hammock between two trees.

Idioms for sling

sling hash, Slang. to work as a waiter or waitress, especially at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.

Origin of sling

1175–1225; (v.) Middle English slyngen < Old Norse slyngva to sling, fling, cognate with Old English slingan to wind, twist; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the v., though sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct orig.

SYNONYMS FOR sling

9 pitch, toss.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR sling ON THESAURUS.COM

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sling

sling slink

Words nearby sling

slimmer, slimming, slimnastics, slimsy, slimy, sling, sling chair, sling hash, sling mud at, sling off, sling psychrometer

Definition for sling (2 of 2)

sling ²

[ sling ]

/ slɪŋ /

noun

an iced alcoholic drink, typically containing gin, water, sugar, and lemon or lime juice.

Origin of sling

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; of uncertain origin

Example sentences from the Web for sling

My fantasy unravels when she opens the robe, revealing a sling around her broken arm.

The Singular Artist of New Yorkistan |Lizzie Crocker |November 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The rifle was found nearby, one end of the sling having become detached from the butt.

We Already Know What Adam Lanza’s Real Motive Was at Sandy Hook |Michael Daly |November 26, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
In Sling Blade, Billy Bob Thornton's character fixes lawnmowers but he sounds as if he swallowed one.

Mumbling Wins Oscars! |Zachary Pincus-Roth |March 3, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
He took the place of Jean Valjean, who, on account of his arm being still in a sling, could not give his hand to the bride.

Les Misrables |Victor Hugo

He opened the hatchway while La Croix was profusely thanking him, put a sling around the box and lowered it.

The Bradys and the Girl Smuggler |Francis W. Doughty
David did much better with his sling than he would have done with Saul's sword and spear.

How To Do It |Edward Everett Hale
He advised Kalteyer to borrow a lot of money at the banks and sling himself.

We Can't Have Everything |Rupert Hughes
Palabra de boca, piedra de honda—A word from the mouth is as a stone from a sling.

Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources |James Wood

British Dictionary definitions for sling (1 of 2)

sling ¹

/ (slɪŋ) /

noun

a simple weapon consisting of a loop of leather, etc, in which a stone is whirled and then let fly

a rope or strap by which something may be secured or lifted

a rope net swung from a crane, used for loading and unloading cargo

nautical

a halyard for a yard
(often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached

med a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck for supporting an injured hand or arm across the front of the body

a loop or band attached to an object for carrying

mountaineering a loop of rope or tape used for support in belays, abseils, etc

the act of slinging

verb slings, slinging or slung

(tr) to hurl with or as if with a sling

to attach a sling or slings to (a load, etc)

(tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling to sling washing from the line

informal to throw

(intr) Australian informal to pay a part of one's wages or profits as a bribe or tip

Derived forms of sling

slinger, noun

Word Origin for sling

C13: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse slyngva to hurl, Old High German slingan

British Dictionary definitions for sling (2 of 2)

sling ²

/ (slɪŋ) /

noun

a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened

Word Origin for sling

C19: of uncertain origin

Medical definitions for sling

sling

[ slĭng ]

n.

A supporting bandage or suspensory device, especially a loop suspended from the neck and supporting the flexed forearm.

Idioms and Phrases with sling

sling

In addition to the idioms beginning with sling

sling hash
sling mud at

also see:

ass in a sling

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

sling

noun

verb (used with object), slung, sling·ing.

Idioms for sling

Origin of sling

SYNONYMS FOR sling

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sling

Words nearby sling

Definition for sling (2 of 2)

noun

Origin of sling

Example sentences from the Web for sling

British Dictionary definitions for sling (1 of 2)

noun

verb slings, slinging or slung

Derived forms of sling

Word Origin for sling

British Dictionary definitions for sling (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for sling

Medical definitions for sling

n.

Idioms and Phrases with sling

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

sling

noun

verb (used with object), slung, sling·ing.

Idioms for sling

Origin of sling

SYNONYMS FOR sling

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sling

Words nearby sling

Definition for sling (2 of 2)

noun

Origin of sling

Words related to sling

Example sentences from the Web for sling

British Dictionary definitions for sling (1 of 2)

noun

verb slings, slinging or slung

Derived forms of sling

Word Origin for sling

British Dictionary definitions for sling (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for sling

Medical definitions for sling

n.

Idioms and Phrases with sling