hurling
Americannoun
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the act of throwing or casting, especially with great force or strength.
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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.
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(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.
noun
Etymology
Origin of hurling
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at hurl, -ing 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.
William Glasdale, an English captain killed at Orléans, is best known for hurling abuse at Joan from his strongpoint, Les Tourelles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
President Trump is known for hurling scathing insults at world leaders.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
When hurling down the ball with a wobbling seam rather than looking to hoop it, some deliveries jag unpredictably off the surface after pitching.
From BBC • Jan. 1, 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
The wind was screaming wild high notes and hurling ice-filled waves against the beach.
From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
