Dictionary
1wing
noun, often attributive \ˈwiŋ\
: a part of an animal's body that is used for flying or gliding
: the wing of a bird and especially a chicken eaten as food
: one of usually two long, flat parts of an airplane that extend from the sides and make it possible for the airplane to fly
Full Definition of WING
1
a : one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly; also : such an appendage even though rudimentary if possessed by an animal belonging to a group characterized by the power of flight b : any of various anatomical structures (as of a flying fish or flying lemur) providing means of limited flight
2
: an appendage or part resembling a wing in appearance, position, or function: as a : a device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming or staying afloat b : ala c : a turned-back or extended edge on an article of clothing d : a sidepiece at the top of an armchair e (1) : a foliaceous, membranous, or woody expansion of a plant especially along a stem or on a samara or capsule (2) : either of the two lateral petals of a papilionaceous flower f : a vane of a windmill or arrow g : sail h : an airfoil that develops a major part of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft i chiefly British : fender d
3
: a means of flight or rapid progress
4
: the act or manner of flying : flight <take wing>
5
: a side or outlying region or district
6
: a part or feature of a building usually projecting from and subordinate to the main or central part <the servants' wing>
7
a : one of the pieces of scenery at the side of a stage b plural : the area at the side of the stage out of sight
8
9
a : either of two opposing groups within an organization or society : faction b : a section of an organized body (as a legislative chamber) representing a group or faction holding distinct opinions or policies — compare left wing, right wing
10
a : a unit of the United States Air Force higher than a group and lower than a division b : two or more squadrons of naval airplanes
11
: a dance step marked by a quick outward and inward rolling glide of one foot
12
plural : insignia consisting of an outspread pair of stylized bird's wings which are awarded on completion of prescribed training to a qualified pilot, aircrew member, or military balloon pilot
— wingy \ˈwiŋ-ē\ adjective
— in the wings
1
: out of sight in the stage wings
2
: close at hand in the background : readily available <had a plan waiting in the wings>
— on the wing
1
: in flight : flying
2
: in motion
— under one's wing
: under one's protection : in one's care <took her under his wing>
See wing defined for English-language learners
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Origin of WING
Middle English winge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan & Swedish vinge wing; akin to Sanskrit vāti it blows — more at wind
First Known Use: 13th century
2wing
verb
: to travel to a place by flying there
: to throw (something) forcefully
: to touch or hit (someone or something) especially in the arm or wing while moving past
Full Definition of WING
transitive verb
1
a : to fit with wings b : to enable to fly or move swiftly
2
a : to traverse with or as if with wings b : to effect or achieve by flying
3
: to let fly : dispatch <would start to wing punches — A. J. Liebling>
4
a : to wound in the wing : disable the wing of <winged the duck> b : to wound (as with a bullet) without killing <winged by a sniper>
5
: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines : improvise <winging it>
intransitive verb
: to go with or as if with wings : fly —often used with it <winged it to Europe>
See wing defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WING
1591
WING[1] Defined for Kids
1wing
noun \ˈwiŋ\
Definition of WING for Kids
1
: one of the paired movable feathered or membranous parts with which a bird, bat, or insect flies
2
: something like a wing in appearance, use, or motion <the wings of an airplane>
3
: a part (as of a building) that sticks out from the main part
4
: a division of an organization
5
wings plural : an area just off the stage of a theater
— wing·less \-ləs\ adjective
— wing·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— on the wing
: in flight
2wing
verb
wingedwing·ing
Definition of WING for Kids
1
: to move by means of wings : fly
2
: 1throw 1 <I'd … wing a dart at the closest bull's-eye. — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>
Medical Dictionary
wing
noun \ˈwiŋ\
Medical Definition of WING
1
: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly
2
: a winglike anatomical part or process : ala; especially : any of the four winglike processes of the sphenoid bone—see greater wing, lesser wing
—winged \ˈwiŋd, ˈwiŋ-əd\ adjective
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