felled; felling; fells
1
a
: to cut, knock, or bring down
fell a tree
b
: kill
Her father was felled by a heart attack.
2
: to sew (a seam) by folding one raw edge under the other and sewing flat on the wrong side
feller
noun
fell
3 of 5past tense of fall
1
fellness
noun
dialectal British
: a high barren field or moor
Synonyms
Examples of fell in a Sentence
Verb
using an ax to fell a tree
He's strong enough to fell an ox.
Adjective
planning for the distribution of resources in case of some fell event
war crimes committed by a fell and barbarous enemy
Recent Examples on the Web
Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The story claimed that two loggers felled a hollow tree and were shocked to find a body inside.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024
Rhett Buttle, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
The complex is derived from Japanese superfoods like green tea, rice, and algae to hydrate, resurface, and plump your skin—all in one fell swoop.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Oct. 2024
Natasha Langan, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Authorities said substances were found in Payne's hotel room, suggesting alcohol and drug consumption before his death, and the investigation so far indicates the musician was under the influence and alone when the fell.
—Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fell 
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Verb
There, along the North Platte River in what is now Wyoming, the animal was felled by the arrow of a warrior named High Forehead, who may have been hungry.
—Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The story claimed that two loggers felled a hollow tree and were shocked to find a body inside.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
While this dilemma cannot be solved overnight or in one fell swoop, this plan lays a foundation for creating a small business ecosystem that everyone can access.
—Rhett Buttle, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
The complex is derived from Japanese superfoods like green tea, rice, and algae to hydrate, resurface, and plump your skin—all in one fell swoop.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
There are cosy rooms and retreats throughout, from the comfy bar to the quiet reading room all with breathtaking views over the lake and the fells beyond.
—Natasha Langan, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Authorities said substances were found in Payne's hotel room, suggesting alcohol and drug consumption before his death, and the investigation so far indicates the musician was under the influence and alone when the fell.
—Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fell
Dictionary Entries Near fell
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fell. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fell
1 of 3 verb1
a
: to cut, beat, or knock down
fell trees
2
: to sew (a seam) by folding one edge under the other
fell
2 of 3past of fall entry 1
fell
3 of 3 adjectiveEtymology
Verb
Old English fellan "to knock down"
Adjective
Middle English fel "fierce, terrible," from early French fel (same meaning), from fel, felon "villain, evildoer" — related to felon
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