sword

[sawrd, sohrd]

noun

1. a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.

2. this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc..

   The pen is mightier than the sword.

3. a cause of death or destruction.

4. war, combat, slaughter, or violence, especially military force or aggression.

   to perish by the sword.

5. Military.,  Sword. the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.

sword

/ sɔːd /

noun

1. a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two cutting edges, a hilt, and usually a crosspiece or guard

2. such a weapon worn on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority

3. something resembling a sword, such as the snout of a swordfish

4. to argue or fight

5. 1. violence or power, esp military power

   2. death; destruction

      to put to the sword

Other Word Forms

• swordless adjective
• swordlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sword¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sweord; cognate with Dutch zwaard, German Schwert, Old Norse sverth

Word History and Origins

Origin of sword¹

Old English sweord; related to Old Saxon swerd, Old Norse sverth, Old High German swert

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at swords' points, mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed.

   Father and son are constantly at swords' point.

2. put to the sword, to slay; execute.

   The entire population of the town was put to the sword.

3. cross swords,

   1. to engage in combat; fight.

   2. to disagree violently; argue.

      The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.

More idioms and phrases containing sword

• at sword's point
• cross swords

Example Sentences

If you tuned into the Culture, Media and Sport committee hearing on Monday expecting a gladiatorial showdown, you'd have been left wondering where the swords were.

Read more on BBC

AI, he says, is a double-edged sword for the economy, as it has both “the potential to weaken employment further while boosting productivity gains.”

Read more on Barron's

One cartoon posted on X by Chinese state media depicted her in Japanese Imperial Army uniform, a sheathed sword at her side.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the kudos was a double-edged sword for Gyngell, who left the cafe a year after the award, saying she was frustrated by customers who expected a traditional Michelin experience at her rustic cafe.

Read more on BBC

"The end sword fight might be the most realistic ever put to film."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blade 
• dagger 
• weapon