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

• swordless adjective
• swordlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of sword

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

Example Sentences

Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” series, said, “A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”

From Los Angeles Times

Oil giants have fled California, but James Flores is desperate to get in, even if it means crossing swords with the state.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you tuned into the Culture, Media and Sport committee hearing on Monday expecting a gladiatorial showdown, you'd have been left wondering where the swords were.

From BBC

AI, he says, is a double-edged sword for the economy, as it has both “the potential to weaken employment further while boosting productivity gains.”

From Barron's

One cartoon posted on X by Chinese state media depicted her in Japanese Imperial Army uniform, a sheathed sword at her side.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• weapon