hacksaw

American

[hak-saw] / ˈhækˌsɔ /

Or hack saw

noun

a saw for cutting metal, consisting typically of a narrow, fine-toothed blade fixed in a frame.

hacksaw British

/ ˈhækˌsɔː /

noun

a handsaw for cutting metal, with a hard-steel blade in a frame under tension

"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

verb

(tr) to cut with a hacksaw

"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

Etymology

Origin of hacksaw

First recorded in 1645–55; hack ¹ + saw ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Swiss Army Gardener: A handy, foldable multi-tool combining a shovel, rake, hoe, hacksaw, pitchfork, pruning shears and posthole digger.

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2019

He was sort of the go-between, but he had no idea—at least he claims he had no idea—that there were actual hacksaw blades.

From Slate • Nov. 23, 2018

At one point, she picks up a hacksaw, which she uses to separate the hindquarters from the rest of the carcass.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 16, 2017

Snares, a hacksaw blade, seeds, silica packs and oxidizer to reduce the effects of moisture.

From The Guardian • Aug. 2, 2017

Spoon Man wove in and out, offering a pair of earrings to Mrs. Bates, and a new hacksaw to Mr. Spencer.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023