lug

1
[ luhg ]
See synonyms for lug on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),lugged, lug·ging.
  1. to pull or carry with force or effort: to lug a suitcase upstairs.

  2. to introduce or interject in an inappropriate or irrelevant manner: to lug personalities into a discussion of philosophy.

  1. (of a sailing ship) to carry an excessive amount of (sail) for the conditions prevailing.

verb (used without object),lugged, lug·ging.
  1. to pull or tug laboriously.

  2. (of an engine or machine) to jerk, hesitate, or strain: The engine lugs when we climb a steep hill.

noun
  1. an act or instance of lugging; a forcible pull; haul.

  2. a wooden box for transporting fruit or vegetables.

  1. Slang. a request for or exaction of money, as for political purposes: They put the lug on him at the office.

Origin of lug

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English luggen, from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian lugge, Swedish lugga “to pull by the hair”

Other words from lug

  • un·lugged, adjective

Other definitions for lug (2 of 5)

lug2
[ luhg ]

noun
  1. a projecting piece by which anything is held or supported.

  2. a ridge or welt that helps to provide traction, as on a tire or the sole of a shoe.

  1. Masonry. either of the ends of a lug sill.

  2. Carpentry. (in a double-hung window) one of a pair of projections extending downward from the ends of the meeting rail of the upper sash.

  3. a leather loop hanging down from a saddle, through which a shaft is passed for support.

  4. Shipbuilding. clip2 (def. 6).

  5. Slang.

    • an awkward, clumsy fellow.

    • a blockhead.

    • a man; guy.

Origin of lug

2
First recorded in 1485–95; from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish lugg “forelock”; see lug1

Other definitions for lug (3 of 5)

lug3
[ luhg ]

noun

Origin of lug

3
By shortening

Other definitions for lug (4 of 5)

lug4
[ luhg ]

noun

Origin of lug

4
First recorded in 1595–1605; earlier lugg; perhaps special use of lug2

Other definitions for Lug (5 of 5)

Lug
[ lookh ]

noun
  1. an ancient Irish god, probably a solar deity.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lug in a sentence

  • The wolf-dog buried itself in the snow, Houston pulling it forth time after time, and lugging it at long intervals.

    The White Desert | Courtney Ryley Cooper
  • After a while he came along, lugging a big basket and wearing a smile that would have made us warm to him if we never had before.

    The Boy Scouts of Bob's Hill | Charles Pierce Burton
  • I told him I guessed you wan't so rich that you got round-shouldered lugging your money.

    The Rise of Roscoe Paine | Joseph C. Lincoln
  • She had probably walked from the station, lugging her own valise, to some ghastly theatrical boarding-house.

    The Cup of Fury | Rupert Hughes
  • They travelled light, each man lugging his provisions, rations of corn meal and a wallet containing dried venison.

    Rodney, the Ranger | John V. Lane

British Dictionary definitions for lug (1 of 4)

lug1

/ (lʌɡ) /


verblugs, lugging or lugged
  1. to carry or drag (something heavy) with great effort

  2. (tr) to introduce (an irrelevant topic) into a conversation or discussion

  1. (tr) (of a sailing vessel) to carry too much (sail) for the amount of wind blowing

noun
  1. the act or an instance of lugging

Origin of lug

1
C14: probably from Scandinavian; apparently related to Norwegian lugge to pull by the hair

British Dictionary definitions for lug (2 of 4)

lug2

/ (lʌɡ) /


noun
  1. a projecting piece by which something is connected, supported, or lifted

  2. Also called: tug a leather loop used in harness for various purposes

  1. a box or basket for vegetables or fruit with a capacity of 28 to 40 pounds

  2. Scot and Northern English dialect another word for ear 1

  3. slang a man, esp a stupid or awkward one

Origin of lug

2
C15 (Scots dialect) lugge ear, perhaps related to lug 1 (in the sense: to pull by the ear)

British Dictionary definitions for lug (3 of 4)

lug3

/ (lʌɡ) /


noun
  1. nautical short for lugsail

British Dictionary definitions for lug (4 of 4)

lug4

/ (lʌɡ) /


noun
  1. short for lugworm

Origin of lug

4
C16: origin uncertain

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