toe

American  

[toh] / toʊ /

noun

1. one of the terminal digits of the human foot.

2. an analogous part in certain animals.

3. the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like.

4. the forepart of anything worn on the foot, as of a shoe or stocking.

5. a part resembling a toe in shape or position.

6. Railroads.  the end of a frog in front of the point and in the direction of the switch.

7. Machinery.

   1. a journal or part placed vertically in a bearing, as the lower end of a vertical shaft.

   2. a curved partial cam lifting the flat surface of a follower and letting it drop; wiper.

8. Golf.  the outer end of the head of a club.

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verb (used with object)

toed, toeing

1. to furnish with a toe or toes.

2. to touch or reach with the toes.

   The pitcher toed the mound, wound up, and threw a fastball.

3. to kick with the toe.

4. Golf.  to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club.

5. Carpentry.

   1. to drive (a nail) obliquely.

   2. to toenail.

verb (used without object)

toed, toeing

1. to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position.

   to toe in.

2. to tap with the toe, as in dancing.

idioms

1. on one's toes,  energetic; alert; ready.

   The spirited competition kept them on their toes.

2. step / tread on someone's toes,  to offend (a person); encroach on the territory or sphere of responsibility of (another).

   The new employee stepped on a lot of toes when he suggested reorganizing the office.

3. toe the line.  line.

toe British  

/ təʊ /

noun

1. any one of the digits of the foot

2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates

3. the part of a shoe, sock, etc, covering the toes

4. anything resembling a toe in shape or position

5. the front part of the head of a golf club, hockey stick, etc

6. the lower bearing of a vertical shaft assembly

7. the tip of a cam follower that engages the cam profile

8. informal  to begin doing or try something new or unfamiliar

9. alert

10. to offend or insult a person, esp by trespassing on his or her field of responsibility

11. informal  to die

12. slang  speed

    a player with plenty of toe

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verb

1. (tr) to touch, kick, or mark with the toe

2. (tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club

3. (tr) to drive (a nail, spike, etc) obliquely

4. (intr) to walk with the toes pointing in a specified direction

   to toe inwards

5. to conform to expected standards, attitudes, etc

toe More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing toe

• dip one's toes into
• from head to toe
• on one's toes
• step on someone's toes
• turn up one's toes

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Other Word Forms

• toeless adjective
• toelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of toe

before 900; Middle English; Old English tā; cognate with Dutch teen, German Zehe, Old Norse tā

Example Sentences

The Bengals, who saw Burrow return from a toe injury for that game, aren’t out of contention despite being just 4-8.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their reconstruction reveals a tall crest running along the neck and torso, a row of spikes down the tail, and hooves that enclosed the toes.

From Science Daily

On the ground, however, A. deyiremeda still walked on two legs and appears to have pushed off primarily from the second toe rather than the big toe, which is how modern humans typically walk.

From Science Daily

Vitello earned a reputation as a brash, fiery leader with unmatched people skills whose teams toed the line between confident and cocky.

From The Wall Street Journal

All dressed head to toe in full club colours.

From BBC