hurling

American  

[hur-ling] / ˈhɜr lɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of throwing or casting, especially with great force or strength.

2. a traditionally Irish game played by two teams of 15 players each on a rectangular field 140 yards (128 meters) long, points being scored by hitting, pushing, carrying, or throwing the leather-covered ball between the goalposts at the opponent's end of the field with a wide-bladed stick resembling a hockey stick.

3. (in parts of Britain, especially Cornwall) a traditional, rural game in which two groups of players, using methods similar to those of football, vie for possession of a ball or other object and try to carry or hurl it into their own parish, village, farm, etc.

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hurling British  

/ ˈhɜːlɪŋ /

noun

1. a traditional Irish game resembling hockey and lacrosse, played with sticks and a ball between two teams of 15 players each

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Etymology

Origin of hurling

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; hurl, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Luciano had a singular style calling a strike, a twisting motion evocative of the football quarterback Lamar Jackson hurling a contorted cross-body pass to a receiver at the sidelines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The England midfielder's 57th-minute goal prompted Emery to roar in delight before ripping off his jacket and hurling it into the air.

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

What they refrain from hurling in that moment, or at any point throughout “Welcome to Derry,” is a dehumanizing slur splashed all over the pages of the original “It.”

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2025

Despite running nearly 2½ hours, it’s too speedy to accomplish everything it hopes, but the plotting is a blast, toying with expectations by hurling accusations and confessions at us when we aren’t expecting them.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Ernie held the shovel low, letting it hang behind him before hurling its contents into the woods.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• casting