lash

¹ American  

[lash] / læʃ /

noun

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

2. a swift stroke or blow, with a whip or the like, given as a punishment.

   He received 20 lashes.

3. something that goads or pains in a manner compared to that of a whip.

   the lash of his sharp tongue.

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

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

6. an eyelash.

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

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verb (used with object)

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

2. to beat violently or sharply against.

   The rain lashed the trees.

3. to drive by or as if by strokes of a whip.

   He lashed them on to greater effort.

4. to attack, scold, or punish severely with words.

   She lashed the students with harsh criticism.

5. to dash, fling, or switch suddenly and swiftly.

   The crocodile lashed its tail.

verb (used without object)

1. to strike vigorously at someone or something, as with a weapon or whip (often followed byout ).

   He lashed wildly at his attackers.

2. to attack or reprove someone with harsh words (often followed byout ).

   to lash out at injustice.

   Synonyms:

   tongue-lash, scold, berate

3. to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash.

   The coiled snake lashed suddenly.

4. Chiefly British. to spend money lavishly or foolishly (usually followed byout ).

lash ² American  

[lash] / læʃ /

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms:

   truss, rope, secure, tie

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LASH ³ American  

[lash] / læʃ /

noun

1. 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.

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lash ¹ British  

/ læʃ /

noun

1. a sharp cutting blow from a whip or other flexible object

   twenty lashes was his punishment

2. the flexible end or ends of a whip

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

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

5. See eyelash

6. informal to make an attempt at or take part in (something)

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verb

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

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

3. to attack with words, ridicule, etc

4. to flick or wave sharply to and fro

   the restless panther lashed his tail

5. to urge or drive with or as if with a whip

   to lash the audience into a violent mood

lash ² British  

/ læʃ /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• lasher noun
• lashingly adverb
• lashless adjective

Etymology

Origin of lash¹

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

Origin of lash²

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 ( def. )

Origin of LASH³

1960–65; l(ighter) a(board) sh(ip)

Example Sentences

Benjamin Samat, a French influencer living in Dubai, took to Instagram to lash out at "those who on social media are rejoicing that the French are going through this".

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

And this has made her really relatable, having her son lash out at her like this so publicly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

The storm began to lash the central and southern parts of the country with snow on Saturday and the Northeast on Sunday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

Santorelli advises mothers not to lash out in the heat of the moment.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

I guessed from what she had told me that this was what was frightening her so, driving her away from the plantation, causing her to lash out at me.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Related Words

• batter
• buffet
• chastise
• knock
• pummel
• smack