hacksaw

American  

[hak-saw] / ˈhækˌsɔ /

Or hack saw

noun

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

---

hacksaw British  

/ ˈhækˌsɔː /

noun

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

---

verb

1. (tr) to cut with a hacksaw

Etymology

Origin of hacksaw

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

Example Sentences

A skeleton crew of editors needed to take a hacksaw through the December issue of Artforum magazine.

From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2023

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

Gene Palmer, the guard that David Morse plays, was bringing the meat that Tilly had put the hacksaw blades into to Richard Matt in his cell.

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

The staple gun was where the hacksaw was supposed to go.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan