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View synonyms for

sling

1

[sling]

noun

  1. 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.

  2. slingshot.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. sling-back.

  6. an act or instance of slinging.

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

  8. Nautical.

    1. a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.

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



verb (used with object)

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

    Synonyms: ,
  2. to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.

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

  4. to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely.

    to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.

  5. to suspend.

    to sling a hammock between two trees.

sling

2

[sling]

noun

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

sling

1

/ ɪŋ /

noun

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

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

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

  4. nautical

    1. a halyard for a yard

    2. (often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached

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

  6. a loop or band attached to an object for carrying

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

  8. the act of slinging

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

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

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

  3. (tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling

    to sling washing from the line

  4. informalto throw

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sling

2

/ ɪŋ /

noun

  1. a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ˈԲ noun
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Word History and Origins

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sling1

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

Origin of sling2

C19: of uncertain origin
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Idioms and Phrases

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

In addition to the idioms beginning with sling, also see ass in a sling.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“He had to go through the slings and the arrows, which is a shame, because he’s an incredible patriot.”

From

One of the people wounded in the Solingen attack sat in court on Tuesday, her arm in a sling, in a reminder of the wounds he inflicted in the city.

From

In a video circulated widely on social media, three officers stand guard while a fourth tries to handcuff Erin, then slings her to the ground face first.

From

She’ll have plenty to weigh on that front in the coming months, with both schools likely to dig in their heels for the long haul, slinging mud at one another in the meantime.

From

Eleven of those "mixed mass graves" are slung around a beautiful, barren hilltop outside Damascus.

From

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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.

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