peg

1 of 4

noun

1
a
: a small usually cylindrical pointed or tapered piece (as of wood) used to pin down or fasten things or to fit into or close holes : pin, plug
b
British : clothespin
c
: a predetermined level at which something (such as a price) is fixed
2
a
: a projecting piece used as a support or boundary marker
b
: something (such as a fact or issue) used as a support, pretext, or reason
a news peg for the story
3
a
: one of the movable wooden pegs set in the head of a stringed instrument (such as a violin) that are turned to regulate the pitch of the strings see violin illustration
b
: a step or degree especially in estimation
4
: a pointed prong or claw for catching or tearing
5
British : drink
poured himself out a stiff pegDorothy Sayers
6
: something (such as a leg) resembling a peg
7
: throw
especially : a hard throw in baseball made in an attempt to put out a base runner

peg

2 of 4

verb

pegged; pegging

transitive verb

1
a
: to put a peg into
b
British : to pin (laundry) on a clothesline
2
: to attach or fix as if with a peg: such as
a
: to pin down : restrict
b
: to fix or hold (something, such as prices or wage increases) at a predetermined level or rate
c
: to place in a definite category : identify
was pegged as an intellectual
3
: to mark by pegs
4
: throw

intransitive verb

1
: to work steadily and diligently
often used with away
2
: to move along vigorously or hastily : hustle

peg

3 of 4

adjective

variants or pegged
: wide at the top and narrow at the bottom
peg pants

PEG

4 of 4

abbreviation

polyethylene glycol

Examples of peg in a Sentence

Noun Her coat hung on a peg by the door. took the arrogant student down a peg Verb Is the tent pegged down all the way? peg the price of wheat at its current level His bonus is pegged to how many sales he makes each year for the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Kate’s absence from public life has prompted a slew of criticism from Royal watchers, many of whom have used the Palace’s Benny Hill-esque fumbling of the situation as a peg to discuss the irrelevance, hypocrisy, and corruption of the monarchy. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 The anxiety behind Big Tech crackdowns The European Union this week enshrined the most consequential law to date trying to knock America’s technology superpowers down a peg. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The branch-like pegs within the chamber allowed our tester to load bottles, pump parts, and accessories in configurations that allowed steam to access every crevice for a highly effective clean. Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 In videos captured by Mr. Holbrook, a small mouse carries clothes pegs, cups and even cable ties to the box, with an enviable focus. Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2024 The Road Trip-ers peg that particular incident as happening on the Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge near downtown Toronto. EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023 For others, the mushy texture knocked Good & Gather down a few pegs. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 8 Jan. 2024 Down two pegs is another non-mover, Reputation, which is comfortable at No. 4. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 And, besides, at the doors on each side were long rows of fleece blankets for moviegoers to take off pegs and cuddle up with during the show. Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024
Verb
Berman’s office pegs the average cost of a wig at $1,500. Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024 The house has plaster walls, a curved staircase, original hardwood pegged flooring on the second level, a balcony off the back from the primary bedroom, two fireplaces — one in the living room and one in the primary bedroom — and large windows throughout that allow for lots of light. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 Cosmologists’ reigning model of the universe identifies dark energy as the energy of space itself and pegs it at 70% of the universe’s contents. Liz Kruesi, Quanta Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 State authorities have pegged the cost to taxpayers at around $2 billion and counting. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 The number of audits related to aircraft usage—which Werfel pegged at three to four dozen—could increase in the future. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 And the Hornets have even had to rely on Nathan Mensah, who was pegged to be in the G League, a lot this season. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024 Both children inherited trusts, and Larry — whom Forbes pegs with a net worth of $142 billion — made investments in each of their companies. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 Forbes pegs his net worth at just under $118 billion. Jane Thier, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The shape of those peg-like teeth at the front of its mouth tell us that A. unicus was vegan — the oldest such marine reptile known. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2016 The most controversial were the inclusion of single-unders and double-under crossovers which appeared during Event 3 alongside strict peg-board climbs. Gabrielle Kassel, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2022 The toymaker father of young Olivia is dramatically kidnapped by a peg-legged bat. Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peg.' 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 pegge, probably from Middle Dutch

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1543, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peg was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near peg

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

peg

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a small usually cylindrical pointed piece (as of wood) used to pin down or fasten things or to fit into or close holes
a tent peg
b
: a tapered wooden piece in a musical instrument (as a violin) that is turned to tighten or loosen a string to adjust pitch
2
: a piece that sticks out and is used as a support or boundary marker
3
: step entry 1 sense 5, degree
take someone down a peg
4
: throw entry 2 sense 1
a quick peg to first base

peg

2 of 2 verb
pegged; pegging
1
a
: to fasten or mark with pegs
b
: to fix or hold (as prices) at a level or rate of increase
2
: to place in a class or group
3
4
: to work steadily and diligently

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on peg

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