water wings

plural noun

: an air-filled device that fits around the arms of a person learning to swim so as to provide buoyancy

Examples of water wings in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Remember, even the best quality flotation devices (think water wings and inflated donuts) aren't designed to prevent drowning. The Enquirer, 27 June 2023 The world can be scary and unnerving, but friends are our water wings, our cheer squad, our bodyguards, our packing peanuts. Catherine Newman, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2022 Pre-coffee, Devra was passed by motorboats, other kayakers, toddlers in water wings. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 The Stearns vest was modeled on inflatable water wings, with a safer construction and an extra pad around the upper chest. Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 15 June 2022 Vinecki, gangly and full of energy, walked up to the starting line wearing water wings. Glamour, 4 Feb. 2022 Bring on the water balloons, pool noodles, water wings. Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 10 May 2021 At least 12 different fungal species make constricting snares that inflate like lethal water wings in a tenth of a second. Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2021 He and other non-swimmers were required to wear water wings, and a couple of times during the June 17 pool outing the boy was reprimanded for being in the pool without the flotation device, evidence showed. Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 8 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water wings.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water wings was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near water wings

Cite this Entry

“Water wings.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20wings. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

water wings

noun plural
: an air-filled device to give support to the body of a swimmer
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