wedge

1 of 2

noun

1
: a piece of a substance (such as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something
2
a
: something (such as a policy) causing a breach or separation
b
: something used to initiate an action or development
3
: something wedge-shaped: such as
a
: an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge
b
: the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters
c
: a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole
d
: an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft
4
: a golf shot made with a wedge

called also wedge shot

Illustration of wedge

Illustration of wedge
  • W wedge 1

wedge

2 of 2

verb

wedged; wedging

transitive verb

1
: to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge
2
a
: to force or press (something) into a narrow space : cram
b
: to force (one's way) into or through
3
: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge

Examples of wedge in a Sentence

Noun He used a wedge to split the firewood. A wedge held the door open. The battalion formed a wedge and marched toward the enemy. Verb She wedged her foot into the crack. The dog got wedged between the couch and the end table. I wedged myself into the car's back seat. She wedged the door open.
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.
Noun
Rub a lychee or lemon wedge around the rim if desired, then shake all ingredients with ice for 15–20 seconds. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Transfer meat to platter with roasted onion wedges. Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Some lie on their stomachs, and others wedge between train cars. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024 His four sons — Rudy is the oldest and Calvin wedged between Perry and Zack — all served as bat boys and clubhouse attendants, immersed in the day-to-day routines of big league players. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wedge 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near wedge

Cite this Entry

“Wedge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedge. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

wedge

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece of wood or metal with a pointed edge used especially to split wood or rocks and to lift heavy weights
2
: something (as a piece of pie or land) shaped like a triangle
3
a
: something (as a policy or action) that causes a separation or break
the decision drove a wedge between them
b
: something that serves to open the way for an action or development

wedge

2 of 2 verb
wedged; wedging
1
: to fasten or tighten by or as if by driving in a wedge
2
a
: to press or force into a narrow space
wedged a stick into the crack
b
: to force (one's way) into or through
wedged his way into the crowd
3
: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge

More from Merriam-Webster on wedge

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