spit

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire
2
: a small point of land especially of sand or gravel running into a body of water

spit

2 of 4

verb (1)

spitted; spitting

transitive verb

: to fix on or as if on a spit : impale

spit

3 of 4

verb (2)

spit or spat ˈspat How to pronounce spit (audio) ; spitting

transitive verb

1
a
: to eject (something) from the mouth : expectorate
b(1)
: to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings) by or as if by spitting
(2)
: to utter with a spitting sound or scornful expression
spat out his words
c
: to emit as if by spitting
especially : to emit (precipitation) in driving particles or in flurries
spit rain
2
: to set to burning
spit a fuse

intransitive verb

1
a(1)
: to eject saliva as an expression of aversion or contempt
(2)
: to exhibit contempt
b
: to eject matter (such as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
2
: to rain or snow slightly or in flurries
3
: to make a noise suggesting expectoration : sputter

spit

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
a(1)
(2)
: the act or an instance of spitting
b(1)
: a frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs
(2)
2
: perfect likeness
3
: a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow
Phrases
spit it out
: to say what is in the mind without further delay

Examples of spit in a Sentence

Noun (1) at the northeast end of the island is a long spit whose terminal is crowned by a towering lighthouse Verb (1) according to the propaganda put out by the war ministry, enemy soldiers were spitting innocent babies on bayonets Noun (2) the spit and image of his father so dry that he felt as if he had no spit left in his mouth
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Two unidentified staff members were offered a plea deal for their charge of official oppression after slamming a child’s head into a brick pillar and spitting on him as he was dragged away to solitary confinement. Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 At the time, an early stint on Barney & Friends had led to a leading role on Wizards, which sucked her into the Disney machine and, later, spit her out a chart-topping superstar. Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Near a spit named for a president's grace, This park holds historic roots in place. Christine Clarridge, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 So was this a friendly chat between spit sisters or bonding because Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are on the outs? Glamour, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spit 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English spitu; akin to Old High German spiz spit, spizzi pointed

Verb (2)

Middle English spitten, from Old English spittan; akin to Middle High German spiutzen to spit

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

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

Noun (2)

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near spit

Cite this Entry

“Spit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spit. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spit

1 of 3 noun
1
: a thin pointed rod for holding meat over a fire
2
: a small point of land that runs out into a body of water

spit

2 of 3 verb
spit or spat
ˈspat
; spitting
1
a
: to cause (as saliva) to spurt from the mouth : expectorate
b
: to express by or as if by spitting : make a spitting sound
2
a
: to give off briskly : emit
b
: to rain lightly or snow in flurries
spitter noun

spit

3 of 3 noun
1
a
: saliva
b
: the act of spitting
2
: a foamy secretion produced by spittlebugs
3
: perfect likeness
the spit and image of her father
Etymology

Noun

Old English spitu "a long rod for holding meat over a fire to cook"

Verb

Old English spittan "to spit (saliva) from the mouth"

Medical Definition

spit

1 of 2 verb
spit or spat ˈspat How to pronounce spit (audio) ; spitting

transitive verb

: to eject (as saliva) from the mouth

intransitive verb

: to eject saliva from the mouth

spit

2 of 2 noun
: saliva

More from Merriam-Webster on spit

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