sickle

1 of 3

noun

sick·​le ˈsi-kəl How to pronounce sickle (audio)
1
: an agricultural implement consisting of a curved metal blade with a short handle fitted on a tang
2
: the cutting mechanism (as of a reaper, combine, or mower) consisting of a bar with a series of cutting elements

Illustration of sickle

Illustration of sickle
  • sickle 1

sickle

2 of 3

adjective

: having the form of a sickle blade : having a curve similar to that of a sickle blade
the sickle moon

sickle

3 of 3

verb

sickled; sickling ˈsi-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce sickle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to mow or reap with a sickle
2
: to change (a red blood cell) into a sickle cell

intransitive verb

: to change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle

Examples of sickle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Abnormal hemoglobin alters the shape of red blood cells, turning them from discs to sickles. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2023 Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sickle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sickle.' 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 sikel, from Old English sicol, from Latin secula sickle, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1688, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near sickle

Cite this Entry

“Sickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sickle

1 of 2 noun
sick·​le ˈsik-əl How to pronounce sickle (audio)
: a tool with a sharp curved metal blade and a short handle used to cut grass

sickle

2 of 2 verb
sickled; sickling
ˈsik-(ə-)liŋ
: to change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle

Medical Definition

sickle

1 of 3 noun
sick·​le ˈsik-əl How to pronounce sickle (audio)
: a dental scaler with a curved 3-sided point

sickle

2 of 3 adjective
: of, relating to, or characteristic of sickle cell anemia or sickle-cell trait
sickle hemoglobin

sickle

3 of 3 verb
sickled; sickling ˈsik-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce sickle (audio)

transitive verb

: to change (a red blood cell) into a sickle cell

intransitive verb

: to undergo change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle

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