sling

[ sling ]

/ slɪŋ /

noun

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.

a slingshot.

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.

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.

sling-back.

an act or instance of slinging.

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

Nautical.

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

verb (used with object), slung, sling·ing.

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

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

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

to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely: to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.

to suspend: to sling a hammock between two trees.

Words nearby sling

slimmer, slimming, slimnastics, slimsy, slimy, sling, sling chair, sling hash, sling mud at, sling off, sling psychrometer

Idioms for sling

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

Origin of sling

1175–1225; (v.) Middle English slyngen < Old Norse slyngva to sling, fling, cognate with Old English slingan to wind, twist; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the v., though sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct orig.

SYNONYMS FOR sling

9 pitch, toss.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sling

sling slink

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for slinging

To make ends meet, she held a variety of odd jobs, from “selling newspapers door-to-door” to “slinging Orange Juliuses in a mall.”
13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wendy Davis|Erin Cunningham|August 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Too young to remember the crash of 2008 in vivid detail, Fox has been slinging stocks while on the set for the last few years.
When Celebrities Like Mila Kunis Talk Stocks, It’s Time to Get Out of the Market|Daniel Gross|March 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If anyone is slinging any mud intellectually, ideologically, politically, diplomatically, it usually ends up on Israel.
An Ahistorical Tantrum In The Times|Gil Troy|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On some recent beach and surf trips, I ran into these small families who make their living by slinging fish tacos.
Fresh Picks|Sam Talbot|March 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Memorizing our lines, slinging them like the fruit in the trees, was effortless and crazy fun.
How I Found My Voice|Carly Simon|June 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he climbed up the ladder silently toward the open port.
Sabotage in Space|Carey Rockwell
Then, slinging the rope over his shoulders, he started to pull his load along, while Ian kept step with him.
The Wee Scotch Piper|Madeline Brandeis
The saddle hitch, employed in slinging loads upon an ordinary riding saddle.
Packing and Portaging|Dillon Wallace
First by slinging, it was swayed high enough to clear the rail, when Bob bore it over the side, and Mark lowered away.
The Crater|James Fenimore Cooper
Slinging the rifle that the sheriff handed him across his back, Vincent at once mounted, and the party set off at a brisk trot.
With Lee in Virginia|G. A. Henty

British Dictionary definitions for slinging (1 of 2)

sling¹

/ (slɪŋ) /

noun

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

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

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

nautical

a halyard for a yard
(often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached

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

a loop or band attached to an object for carrying

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

the act of slinging

verb slings, slinging or slung

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

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

(tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a slingto sling washing from the line

informal to throw

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

Derived forms of sling

slinger, noun

Word Origin for sling

C13: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse slyngva to hurl, Old High German slingan

British Dictionary definitions for slinging (2 of 2)

sling²

/ (slɪŋ) /

noun

a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened

Word Origin for sling

C19: of uncertain origin

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

Medicine definitions for slinging

sling

[ slĭng ]

n.

A supporting bandage or suspensory device, especially a loop suspended from the neck and supporting the flexed forearm.

Idioms and Phrases with slinging

sling

In addition to the idioms beginning with sling

sling hash
sling mud at

also see:

ass in a sling

sling

noun

verb (used with object), slung, sling·ing.

Content related to sling

Words related to sling

Words nearby sling

Idioms for sling

Origin of sling

SYNONYMS FOR sling

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sling

Examples from the Web for slinging

British Dictionary definitions for slinging (1 of 2)

noun

verb slings, slinging or slung

Derived forms of sling

Word Origin for sling

British Dictionary definitions for slinging (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for sling

Medicine definitions for slinging

n.

Idioms and Phrases with slinging