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

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sling slings slung slinging

Military fatigues are worn like a badge of honor in Jerusalem’s historic center, where young recruits sling automatic weapons over their shoulders.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

Among his snags Monday was a leaping, two-handed grab off a sidearm sling from quarterback Matthew Stafford on the Rams’ second possession.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 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

Moments after Bosnia-Herzegovina had beaten Italy on penalties to qualify for only their second World Cup, Dzeko celebrated cautiously while nursing his arm in a sling.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

While Gurgi, leading the horses, cautiously set one foot, then the other, into the stream, Taran and the bard shouldered the sling.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

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

To get older, wiser and have your skin thickened by all the slings and arrows?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 2026

Perhaps these qualities also prepared her to weather the slings and arrows of international NGO leadership and public speaking.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2025

The boys were trained to use bows and arrows, slings, clubs, throwing sticks, and spears.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Maybe most famously, the purple and sequined version with a gold “FF” logo slung over Carrie Bradshaw’s shoulder in the “Sex and the City” episode when she’s robbed at gunpoint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

Three gaffers rush by with heavy coils of electric cord slung over their shoulders.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

As the two old men told their stories, a youngster brushed past them, a machete slung over his shoulder.

From Barron's ● Mar. 14, 2026

She slung her purse over her shoulder and walked away, her stride made uneven by broken sandal thongs, thin elbows showing through holes in the oversized sweater, her jeans faded and baggy.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

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

If you think of late-career Elvis Presley as only a plump and gaudy Las Vegas crooner slinging schlock in the 1970s, you’re about to get all shook up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

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

A double team pinned Doncic close to the baseline and the guard nearly hopped out of bounds while slinging a one-handed pass over his head to Hachimura, who splashed the shot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025

They are lean, salmon-faced, and earnest; they have serious eyes; they carry their weapons barrel-down, slinging them over their shoulders like clarinets.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

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Related Words

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

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