sword

American  

[sawrd, sohrd] / sɔrd, soʊrd /

noun

1. a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.

2. this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc..

   The pen is mightier than the sword.

3. a cause of death or destruction.

4. war, combat, slaughter, or violence, especially military force or aggression.

   to perish by the sword.

5. Military. Sword. the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.

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idioms

1. at swords' points, mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed.

   Father and son are constantly at swords' point.

2. put to the sword, to slay; execute.

   The entire population of the town was put to the sword.

3. cross swords,

   1. to engage in combat; fight.

   2. to disagree violently; argue.

      The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.

sword British  

/ sɔːd /

noun

1. a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two cutting edges, a hilt, and usually a crosspiece or guard

2. such a weapon worn on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority

3. something resembling a sword, such as the snout of a swordfish

4. to argue or fight

5. 1. violence or power, esp military power

   2. death; destruction

      to put to the sword

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sword More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing sword

• at sword's point
• cross swords

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• swordlike
  adjective
• swordless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sword

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sweord; cognate with Dutch zwaard, German Schwert, Old Norse sverth

Explanation

A sword is a weapon with a long, sharp, metal blade. If you want to dress up as a knight for Halloween, you'll definitely need a sword — and maybe a suit of armor. Swords evolved from daggers, which, like knives, have two sharp edges instead of just one. Some time during the Bronze Age, daggers became longer and longer, eventually being classified as swords. These long, sharp weapons were used by soldiers on battlefields, and for self-defense and dueling. Sword can be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to cut or pierce."

Example Sentences

The scene then cuts to the “she” in question, wearing a red cape and holding a familiar sword.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

May’s surprisingly strong jobs report could soon feel like a double-edged sword for borrowers struggling to keep up with inflation and their bills.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Fans love clocking their samples from kung fu movies, shouting out “Tiger style!” from “Executioners from Shaolin,” or the definitive quote about Shaolin shadowboxing teaming up with the Wu-Tang sword style: It could be dangerous!

From Salon • May 31, 2026

Rifles, mortars and tanks appear to be going the way of sword fights and cavalry charges.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

It swings Autumn’s sword, which slides harmlessly through the crocodile head like a mirage.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• weapon