lash

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

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noun

the flexible part of a whip; the section of cord or the like forming the extremity of a whip.

a swift stroke or blow, with a whip or the like, given as a punishment: He received 20 lashes.

something that goads or pains in a manner compared to that of a whip: the lash of his sharp tongue.

a swift dashing or sweeping movement, as of an animal's tail; swish.

a violent beating or impact, as of waves or rain, against something.

an eyelash.

Also called neck cord . a cord or a series of cords for lifting the warp in weaving a figured fabric.

verb (used with object)

to strike or beat, as with a whip or something similarly slender and flexible.

to beat violently or sharply against: The rain lashed the trees.

to drive by or as if by strokes of a whip: He lashed them on to greater effort.

to attack, scold, or punish severely with words: She lashed the students with harsh criticism.

to dash, fling, or switch suddenly and swiftly: The crocodile lashed its tail.

verb (used without object)

to strike vigorously at someone or something, as with a weapon or whip (often followed by out): He lashed wildly at his attackers.

to attack or reprove someone with harsh words (often followed by out): to lash out at injustice.

to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash: The coiled snake lashed suddenly.

Chiefly British. to spend money lavishly or foolishly (usually followed by out).

OTHER WORDS FOR lash

11 berate, scold, tongue-lash.

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Origin of lash

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb lashen “to deal a blow; hammer”; noun derivative of the verb; perhaps imitative of the sound

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

lasher, nounlash·ing·ly, adverblashless, adjective

Words nearby lash

laser sight, laser surgery, laser trap, laser treatment, laser tuning, lash, lashed, lashing, Lashio, lashkar, Lashley

Other definitions for lash (2 of 3)

lash²

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

verb (used with object)

to bind or fasten with a rope, cord, or the like.

OTHER WORDS FOR lash

tie, secure, rope, truss.

See synonyms for lash on Thesaurus.com

Origin of lash

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English lasen, lace(n) “to fasten with laces, buckles, or ties,” from Old French lac(i)er, lasser, lachier to lace

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

lasher, nounlash·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for lash (3 of 3)

LASH

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

noun

an ocean-going vessel equipped with special cranes and holds for lifting and stowing cargo-carrying barges that can be sailed up inland waterways or into port facilities from offshore.

Origin of LASH

1960–65; l(ighter)a(board)sh(ip)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use lash in a sentence

Meanwhile, Hong Kong protesters lashed out at companies that appeared to support Beijing.
Daryl Morey ostracized the NBA in mainland China. Now, some fans there are reveling in his resignation|Grady McGregor|October 16, 2020|Fortune
From lashing poles together to using it as guy line, this rope works well in most conditions.
This essential survival tool can save your life 10 different ways|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Thanks to its ample exterior webbing, it’s easy to lash a water bottle or second set of shoes to the bag for easy access.
The Gear You Need to Bring on a 225-Mile River Trip|Mitch Breton|September 6, 2020|Outside Online
By the time the Category 4 Typhoon Kammuri lashed the Philippines with heavy rains in early December, the damage was much less than it could have been.
Improved three-week weather forecasts could save lives from disaster|Alexandra Witze|August 27, 2020|Science News

And activists have used the semi-anonymity of social media to lash out against the government.
Egypt’s LGBTs Fight Grindr Crackdown|Jay Michaelson|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But all of them add up to a coiled-up rage, ready to lash out at the nearest target.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And when you peacefully protest their stereotyping of you, they lash back at you and they call you horrendous, horrific names.
Amanda Blackhorse Is ‘Confident’ Snyder Will Lose His Redskins Appeal|Robert Silverman|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hammami followed his video by taking to Twitter to lash out at Shabaab and its emir.
Syria’s Jihadist Twitter Wars|Bill Roggio|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nor one of those tropical torments that periodically lash the country.
What Venezuela Can Learn From Miss Universe|Mac Margolis|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I have read that Chinamen tie their wives to beams in the roof and lash them with leather thongs until they swoon.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Sometimes the drivers lash at him with their long whips but he is too quick for them and scampers out of their reach.
Seven O'Clock Stories|Robert Gordon Anderson
As if by accident, the lash whistled close to Bill Talpers's face, making him give back a step in surprise.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
His thoughts dwell on wagons stogged in the mire and big carthorses hauling at the collar at his voice and under his lash.
Child Life In Town And Country|Anatole France
And the Jenkins pills became famous precisely by reason of that lash of the whip which they gave to jaded existences.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet

British Dictionary definitions for lash (1 of 2)

lash¹

/ (læʃ) /

noun

a sharp cutting blow from a whip or other flexible objecttwenty lashes was his punishment

the flexible end or ends of a whip

a cutting or hurtful blow to the feelings, as one caused by ridicule or scolding

a forceful beating or impact, as of wind, rain, or waves against something

See eyelash

have a lash Australian and NZ informal to make an attempt at or take part in (something)

verb (tr)

to hit (a person or thing) sharply with a whip, rope, etc, esp as a punishment

(of rain, waves, etc) to beat forcefully against

to attack with words, ridicule, etc

to flick or wave sharply to and frothe restless panther lashed his tail

to urge or drive with or as if with a whipto lash the audience into a violent mood

Derived forms of lash

lasher, nounlashingly, adverb

Word Origin for lash

C14: perhaps imitative

British Dictionary definitions for lash (2 of 2)

lash²

/ (læʃ) /

verb

(tr) to bind or secure with rope, string, etc

Derived forms of lash

lasher, noun

Word Origin for lash

C15: from Old French lachier, ultimately from Latin laqueāre to ensnare, from laqueus noose

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lash

OTHER WORDS FOR lash

Origin of lash

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

Words nearby lash

Other definitions for lash (2 of 3)

OTHER WORDS FOR lash

Origin of lash

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

Other definitions for lash (3 of 3)

Origin of LASH

Words related to lash

How to use lash in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lash (1 of 2)

Derived forms of lash

Word Origin for lash

British Dictionary definitions for lash (2 of 2)

Derived forms of lash

Word Origin for lash