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

Standing in front of a crib with her baby in a sling, she gives tips to new mothers who have gotten bills for hospital deliveries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 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

Then at last the three of them, the Captain and Call carrying Auntie Braxton on a hand sling between them, she with an arm about each’s shoulder.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

"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

Sippy cups, strollers, slings, bottles—young children are almost endlessly accessorizable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 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

“He slings it,” tight end Jack Pedersen said of Iamaleava’s throwing style.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2025

The policeman takes it, slings it over his shoulder, and casts me one more disgusted look.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

“I solemnly swear allegiance to my Fatherland, the Russian Federation,” read the stocky 17-year-old, decked out in a fresh military uniform with a rifle slung across his shoulder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

I collected these studded belts, slung them slipshod over whatever was in style at the time that I’ve blocked from my memory, and it felt like a biological necessity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 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

In the fields beyond, a squash farmer trudged home, a sack slung over his shoulder heavy with his harvest.

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026

Nancy was standing nearby, her mouse costume slung over her arm.

From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene

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

On stage, they’re still in their prime, slinging out classics like “Grindin’” and “Virginia” between last year’s “Chains & Whips” and “So Be It.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

But when second-year quarterback Drake Maye broke out into an improbable MVP contender, he lifted the Patriots to their first AFC East title since Tom Brady was slinging the ball in New England.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 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

I meet my own gaze in the blurry metal of the elevator, remembering the face mask in my pocket and slinging it on as I ride up to the fifth floor.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

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Related Words

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