tug

[tuhg]

verb (used with object)

tugged, tugging 

1. to pull at with force, vigor, or effort.

   Synonyms: wrench, jerk, yank

2. to move by pulling forcibly; drag; haul.

3. to tow (a vessel) by means of a tugboat.

verb (used without object)

tugged, tugging 

1. to pull with force or effort.

   to tug at a stuck drawer.

2. to strive hard; labor; toil.

noun

1. an act or instance of tugging; pull; haul.

2. a strenuous contest between opposing forces, groups, or persons; struggle.

   the tug of young minds in a seminar.

3. tugboat.

4. that by which something is tugged, as a rope or chain.

5. (on a harness)

   1. trace.

   2. any of various supporting or pulling parts.

tug

/ tʌɡ /

verb

1. to pull or drag with sharp or powerful movements

   the boy tugged at the door handle

2. (tr) to tow (a vessel) by means of a tug

3. (intr) to work; toil

noun

1. a strong pull or jerk

   he gave the rope a tug

2. Also called: tugboat.  towboat. a boat with a powerful engine, used for towing barges, ships, etc

3. a hard struggle or fight

4. a less common word for trace 2

Other Word Forms

• tugger noun
• tugless adjective
• untugged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tug¹

1175–1225; Middle English toggen to play-wrestle, contend; akin to Old English togian to tow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tug¹

C13: related to Old English tēon to _tow ¹

Example Sentences

Taking part in joint Nato efforts, the navy said HMS Iron Duke monitored the surfaced Russian Kilo-class submarine and its support tug as they passed through the Channel and into the North Sea.

Read more on BBC

Across the country, adults are embracing their youthful side to the extreme, gathering in parks to toss water balloons, play tug of war and hop around in competitive sack races.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Omar Fateh steadied himself before the camera and flashed a smile between heavy blinks, the weight of a nearly sleepless night tugging at his eyelids.

Read more on Salon

Michelle Obama got stuck in with a sports day event, even doing the tug of the war alongside some famous spectators.

Read more on BBC

Still, it tugs on a topical issue within its comedy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times