wing
either of the two forelimbs of most birds and of bats, corresponding to the human arms, that are specialized for flight.
either of two corresponding parts in flightless birds, which may be rudimentary, as in certain ratite birds, or adapted for swimming, as in penguins.
one of the paired, thin, lateral extensions of the body wall of an insect, located on the mesothorax and the metathorax, by means of which it flies.
a similar structure with which gods, angels, demons, etc., are conceived to be provided for the purpose of flying.
Slang. an arm of a human being, especially a baseball player's pitching or throwing arm.
a means or instrument of flight, travel, or progress.
the act or manner of flying.
something resembling or likened to a bird's wing, as a vane or sail of a windmill.
Aeronautics.
one of a pair of airfoils attached transversely to the fuselage of an aircraft and providing lift.
both airfoils, taken collectively.
Architecture. a part of a building projecting on one side of, or subordinate to, a central or main part.
Furniture. either of two forward extensions of the sides of the back of an easy chair.
either of the two side portions of an army or fleet, usually called right wing and left wing, and distinguished from the center; flank units.
an administrative and tactical unit of the U.S. Air Force consisting of two or more groups, headquarters, and certain supporting and service units.
(in flight formation) noting a position to the side and just to the rear of another airplane.
Fortification. either of the longer sides of a crownwork, uniting it to the main work.
Sports. (in some team games) any one of the positions, or a player in such a position, on the far side of the center position, known as the left and right wings with reference to the direction of the opposite goal.
Theater.
the platform or space on the right or left of the stage proper.
Anatomy. an ala: the wings of the sphenoid.
Botany.
any leaflike expansion, as of a samara.
one of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower.
either of the parts of a double door, screen, etc.
the feather of an arrow.
a faction within a political party, as at one extreme or the other: conflict between the right wing and the left wing.
Nautical. one of the far side areas of the hold of a merchant vessel.
British. a fender of an automobile, truck, bicycle, or other vehicle.
to equip with wings.
to enable to fly, move rapidly, etc.; lend speed or celerity to.
to supply with a winglike part, a side structure, etc.
to transport on or as on wings.
to perform or accomplish by wings.
to traverse in flight.
to wound or disable in the wing: to wing a bird.
to wound (a person) in an arm or other nonvital part.
to bring down (as a flying bird) by a shot.
Informal. to throw; lob: He winged a ball through the neighbor's window.
to brush or clean with a wing.
Theater. to perform (a part, role, etc.) relying on prompters in the wings.
to travel on or as if on wings; fly; soar: They are winging to the coast.
Idioms about wing
on the wing,
in flight, or flying: a bird on the wing.
in motion; traveling; active: Scouts are on the wing in search of a new talent.
take wing,
to begin to fly; take to the air.
to leave in haste; depart: Our resolutions to economize swiftly took wing.
under one's wing, under one's protection, care, or patronage: She took the orphan under her wing.
wing it, Informal. to accomplish or execute something without sufficient preparation or experience; improvise: He had no time to study, so he had to wing it.
Origin of wing
1Other words from wing
- outwing, verb (used with object)
Words Nearby wing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wing in a sentence
To borrow an old right-wing talking point, these people are angry no matter what we do.
There is, however, a separate wing of AQAP designed to inspire their followers to conduct attacks against the West.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre | Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHe sometimes surmised that it was because he was too outspokenly identified with the diminished liberal wing of the party.
Ed Brooke: The Senate's Civil Rights Pioneer and Prophet of a Post-Racial America | John Avlon | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTLimbaugh makes comments like this because his right-wing fans require a non–stop diet of race-baiting red meat.
In other words, this is a very small vast-right-wing-conspiracy.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline | Jay Michaelson | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Done, says he, why let fifty of our men advance, and flank them on each wing.
His idea was that there would be ample time later to order a concentration on either wing or on the centre.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonAs it was he had to press Nejdi into a fast gallop before he could clear the left wing of the advancing army.
The Red Year | Louis TracyThe male Black Redstart has also a white patch on the wing caused by the pale, nearly white, margins of the feathers.
Birds of Guernsey (1879) | Cecil SmithI watched him wing his god-like way up through the still, soft air till he was lost to view.
Uncanny Tales | Various
British Dictionary definitions for wing
/ (wɪŋ) /
either of the modified forelimbs of a bird that are covered with large feathers and specialized for flight in most species
one of the organs of flight of an insect, consisting of a membranous outgrowth from the thorax containing a network of veins
either of the organs of flight in certain other animals, esp the forelimb of a bat
a half of the main supporting surface on an aircraft, confined to one side of it
the full span of the main supporting surface on both sides of an aircraft
an aircraft designed as one complete wing
a position in flight formation, just to the rear and to one side of an aircraft
an organ or apparatus resembling a wing
anatomy any bodily structure resembling a wing: the wings of a sphenoid bone Technical name: ala
anything suggesting a wing in form, function, or position, such as a sail of a windmill or a ship
botany
either of the lateral petals of a sweetpea or related flower
any of various outgrowths of a plant part, esp the process on a wind-dispersed fruit or seed
a means or cause of flight or rapid motion; flight: fear gave wings to his feet
the act or manner of flying: a bird of strong wing
British the part of a car body that surrounds the wheels: US and Canadian name: fender
any affiliate of or subsidiary to a parent organization
sport
either of the two sides of the pitch near the touchline
a player stationed in such a position; winger
a faction or group within a political party or other organization: See also left wing, right wing
a part of a building that is subordinate to the main part
(plural) the space offstage to the right or left of the acting area in a theatre
in the wings ready to step in when needed
fortifications a side connecting the main fort and an outwork
a folding panel, as of a double door or a movable partition
either of the two pieces that project forwards from the sides of some chairbacks
the US name for quarterlight
a surface fitted to a racing car to produce aerodynamic download to hold it on the road at high speed
(plural) an insignia in the form of stylized wings worn by a qualified aircraft pilot
a tactical formation in some air forces, consisting of two or more squadrons
any of various flattened organs or extensions in lower animals, esp when used in locomotion
the side of a hold alongside a ship's hull
the outside angle of the cutting edge on the share and mouldboard of a plough
a jetty or dam for narrowing a channel of water
on a wing and a prayer with only the slightest hope of succeeding
on the wing
flying
travelling
about to leave
take wing
to lift off or fly away
to depart in haste
to become joyful
under one's wing in one's care or tutelage
clip someone's wings
to restrict someone's freedom
to thwart someone's ambition
on wings flying or as if flying
spread one's wings or stretch one's wings to make full use of one's abilities
(also intr) to make (one's way) swiftly on or as if on wings
to shoot or wound (a bird, person, etc) superficially, in the wing or arm, etc
to cause to fly or move swiftly: to wing an arrow
to fit (an arrow) with a feather
to provide with wings
(of buildings, altars, etc) to provide with lateral extensions
wing it informal to accomplish or perform something without full preparation or knowledge; improvise
Origin of wing
1Derived forms of wing
- winglike, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for wing
[ wĭng ]
One of a pair of specialized parts used for flying, as in birds, bats, or insects.
A thin, papery projection on certain fruits that are dispersed by the wind, such as the fruits of ash, elm, and maple trees. See also samara.
A part extending from the side of an aircraft, such as an airplane, having a curved upper surface that causes the pressure of air rushing over it to decrease, thereby providing lift.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with wing
In addition to the idiom beginning with wing
- wing it
also see:
- clip someone's wings
- in the wings
- left wing
- on the wing
- take flight (wing)
- under someone's wing
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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