sling

¹ American  

[sling] / slɪŋ /

noun

1. a device for hurling stones or other missiles that consists, typically, of a short strap with a long string at each end and that is operated by placing the missile in the strap, and, holding the ends of the strings in one hand, whirling the instrument around in a circle and releasing one of the strings to discharge the missile.

2. slingshot.

3. a bandage used to suspend or support an injured part of the body, commonly a bandage suspended from the neck to support an injured arm or hand.

4. a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.

5. sling-back.

6. an act or instance of slinging.

7. a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.

8. Nautical.

   1. a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.

   2. slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.

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verb (used with object)

• slings,
  present (3rd person singular)
• slung,
  past participle,  past
• slinging
  present participle

1. to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.

   Synonyms:

   toss, pitch

2. to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.

3. to raise, lower, etc., by such means.

4. to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely.

   to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.

5. to suspend.

   to sling a hammock between two trees.

idioms

1. sling hash, to work as a waiter or waitress, especially at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.

sling ² American  

[sling] / slɪŋ /

noun

1. an iced alcoholic drink, typically containing gin, water, sugar, and lemon or lime juice.

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sling ¹ British  

/ slɪŋ /

noun

1. a simple weapon consisting of a loop of leather, etc, in which a stone is whirled and then let fly

2. a rope or strap by which something may be secured or lifted

3. a rope net swung from a crane, used for loading and unloading cargo

4. nautical

   1. a halyard for a yard

   2. (often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached

5. med a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck for supporting an injured hand or arm across the front of the body

6. a loop or band attached to an object for carrying

7. mountaineering a loop of rope or tape used for support in belays, abseils, etc

8. the act of slinging

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verb

1. (tr) to hurl with or as if with a sling

2. to attach a sling or slings to (a load, etc)

3. (tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling

   to sling washing from the line

4. informal to throw

5. informal (intr) to pay a part of one's wages or profits as a bribe or tip

sling ² British  

/ slɪŋ /

noun

1. a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened

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sling More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing sling

• ass in a sling

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• slinger
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• slinging
  present
• slung
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• sling
  simple
• slings
  simple
• have slung
  perfect
• has slung
  perfect
• am slinging
  progressive
• are slinging
  progressive
• is slinging
  progressive
• have been slinging
  perfect progressive
• has been slinging
  perfect progressive

Past

• slung
  simple
• had slung
  perfect
• was slinging
  progressive
• were slinging
  progressive
• had been slinging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will sling
  simple
• will have slung
  perfect
• will be slinging
  progressive
• will have been slinging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of sling¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (verb) slyngen, from Old Norse slyngva “to sling, fling,” cognate with Old English slingan “to wind, twist”; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the verb, though the sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct origin

Origin of sling²

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sling slings slung slinging

Though Liniger continued to live with significant paralysis on her left side after the plane wreck, she learned to play golf with one arm immobilized in a sling and became an accomplished one-armed golfer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Seated in an armchair, dressed in a blue hospital gown, with his left arm in a sling, the security guard said his faith sustained him during the harrowing hours.

From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026

Another video shows a heavy police presence and cordon around the Your Move estate agent, where paramedics are giving medical treatment to a clothed man on the ground who has his arm in a sling.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

During the early stages of development, giant planets can pass dangerously close to one another and sometimes sling neighboring worlds completely out of their solar systems.

From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026

She walked the city again, for hours at a time, Pearl strapped to her back in a sling she’d fashioned from an old silk blouse.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

They match the music's energy on stage: Oddie throws his guitar into the air and slings it around his neck like a man possessed.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

"There will be a lot of dirt and slings thrown around in court between Musk and Altman and that is not a good thing for anyone involved...but Musk has made this personal."

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

While he sparred with Mamdani on the campaign trail, Sliwa praised him for wanting to get a cat, noting it will remain loyal even as Mamdani deals with the slings and arrows of political life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026

The winner of this primary might have earned little more than a third of the vote, and will enter the fall’s general election bloodied from high-profile slings and arrows from their own side.

From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2026

Boys stood by with their slings, ready to scare away any birds or small animals that might try to make an easy meal of our hard work.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

Bassist Anan "Tor" Prasert, 37, said he received minor burns but escaped the blaze relatively quickly -- with his bass guitar still slung over his shoulder.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

And he coached basketball, so he would proclaim this with a ball slung under his arm, wearing a jersey that featured his exuberantly hairy shoulders.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

As armor, Elizabeth slung a Launer handbag over her forearm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

Chalamet’s loss capped off a prickly night for the actor, who dodged a bit of mud slung in the direction of his gleaming white suit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 16, 2026

And then there was another photo of the social worker in a tuxedo at what looked like some kind of fancy party, his arm slung around a pretty woman with dark hair.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

With four overseas players introduced this year, fewer emerging players have been given much responsibility during the tournament, but Sunrisers' batters struggled with Phillips' slinging, awkward action.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Three days later, as thousands of probing eyes watched his every move, Iamaleava was slinging passes with considerably more zip.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2025

I would bet an entire wishbone they’re slinging pans of macaroni and cheese that will bring the house down.

From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2025

Real-estate companies are locked in a fierce battle for market share, slinging lawsuits at their rivals even as many of them are pouring billions of dollars into acquiring competitors.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 12, 2025

Squads of volunteers, organized by Parsons, were preparing the street for Hate Week, stitching banners, painting posters, erecting flagstaff's on the roofs, and perilously slinging wires across the street for the reception of streamers.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Related Words

• dangle
• fling
• heave
• hoist
• hurl
• lob