sling

1 of 4

verb (1)

slung ˈsləŋ How to pronounce sling (audio) ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ How to pronounce sling (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to cast with a sudden and usually sweeping or swirling motion
slung the sack over my shoulder
2
: to throw with or as if with a sling
slinging punches
political campaigners slinging mud
3
: to serve (food) to a customer
had a job slinging hamburgers
slinger noun

sling

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: an instrument for throwing stones that usually consists of a short strap with strings fastened to its ends and is whirled round to discharge its missile by centrifugal force
2
a
: a usually looped line (as of strap, chain, or rope) used to hoist, lower, or carry something
especially : a hanging bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or hand
b
: a chain or rope attached to a lower yard at the middle and passing around a mast near the masthead to support a yard
c
: a chain hooked at the bow and stern of a boat for lowering or hoisting
d
: a device (such as a rope net) for enclosing material to be hoisted by a tackle or crane
3
: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile

sling

3 of 4

verb (2)

slung ˈsləŋ How to pronounce sling (audio) ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ How to pronounce sling (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to place in a sling for hoisting or lowering
2
: to suspend by or as if by a sling

sling

4 of 4

noun (2)

: an alcoholic drink that is served hot or cold and that usually consists of liquor, sugar, lemon juice, and plain or carbonated water
gin sling
rum sling
Choose the Right Synonym for sling

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Examples of sling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Opposite the stage is a large lounge area with fireplaces and reading nooks, with a bar slinging cocktails for the adults and slushies for the kids. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Wearing a black first baseman Logan Morrison T-shirt, orange baseball cap speckled with collectable pins, Marlins logo stylized sunglasses, nickel-sized Marlins logo earrings, homemade bracelets and with a matching orange Marlins phone case slung across her chest, Amador is a beacon of baseball. Chabeli Herrera, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Despite constant pressure from the 49ers’ defense, the Chiefs had a chance to strike back, with Patrick Mahomes scrambling and slinging a 52-yard pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. Brett Knight, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 This was not brothers on the corner slinging crack. Garret K. Woodward, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2024 The sisters’ sadness is scarcely externalized, but the creeping ooze of their despair pervades every frame, including a striking shot of a wooden crucifix with a pink lacy bra slung across it to dry. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 My one-year-old sat in her high chair, squishing banana between her fingers and slinging wet chunks to the ground. Carola Lovering, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024 Moss was struck by how tiny the space was, and the tightness of the straps slung over the gurney. Emma Goldberg Desiree Rios, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2024 And ever a fan of the pop of red, Lawrence slung her red knit sweater over her arm. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2024
Noun
The compact sling bag boasts a volume of 1L and sits at 7.5 inches by 2 inches by 5 inches, while the strap can be adjusted to extend as long as 41.7 inches, making for a comfortable fit on a wide range of body types. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2024 The Refuel Bar slings smoothies and healthy snacks, while 24-hour in-room dining will bring you personalized nutritious meals. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024 Stars and executive producers Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon were chatting with KTLA anchors Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes during their live Critics Choice Awards red carpet show when Witherspoon kept laughing at a nearby Pascal's incredibly soft arm sling. EW.com, 14 Jan. 2024 Wearing a neck collar and arm sling, the former prime minister was seen leaving the Police General Hospital in Bangkok on Sunday in a black van alongside his daughters, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Pintongta Shinawatra. Kocha Olarn, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 The Ravens answered with a 30-yard sling from Lamar Jackson to rookie Zay Flowers for a score that the offense celebrated by swag surfin'. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024 Wright, who caught a key 29-yard pass on the Lions' third quarter touchdown drive Sunday, left the locker room with his arm in a sling and is expected to miss this week's NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024 This award season, Pascal has worn a sling as part of his red carpet looks. Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2024 Want to watch quarterback Brock Purdy sling passes or native son Arik Armstead sack Patrick Mahomes with other Sacramento football fans? Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sling.' 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

Verb (1)

Middle English, probably from Old Norse slyngva to hurl; akin to Old English & Old High German slingan to worm, twist, Lithuanian slinkti

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sling was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sling

Cite this Entry

“Sling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sling

1 of 3 verb
slung ˈsləŋ How to pronounce sling (audio) ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ How to pronounce sling (audio)
1
: to throw with a sudden sweeping motion
slung the sweater over her shoulder
2
: to throw with a sling
slinger noun

sling

2 of 3 noun
1
a
: a short strap with strings fastened to its ends that is whirled round to throw something (as a stone)
b
2
: something (as a rope or chain) used to hoist, lower, support, or carry something
especially : a bandage hanging from the neck to support an arm or hand
3
: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile

sling

3 of 3 verb
slung ˈsləŋ How to pronounce sling (audio) ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ How to pronounce sling (audio)
1
: to put in or move or support with a sling
2
: to hang from two points
sling a hammock

Medical Definition

sling

noun
1
: a hanging bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or hand
2
: a harness especially constructed for supporting a sick animal in a standing position

More from Merriam-Webster on sling

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