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

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

Perched in his art-filled château in the south of France, the British expatriate spent years hurling invectives at, falling out with or blatantly undermining an astonishing number of people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Asked to pose for posterity, he chose to go out hurling it a challenge.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• casting