seesaw

1 of 2

noun

see·​saw ˈsē-ˌsȯ How to pronounce seesaw (audio)
1
: an alternating up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion or movement
also : a contest or struggle in which now one side now the other has the lead
2
a
: a pastime in which two children or groups of children ride on opposite ends of a plank balanced in the middle so that one end goes up as the other goes down
b
: the plank or apparatus so used
seesaw adjective

seesaw

2 of 2

verb

seesawed; seesawing; seesaws

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move backward and forward or up and down
b
: to play at seesaw
2
: alternate
seesaw between two activities

transitive verb

: to cause to move in seesaw fashion

Examples of seesaw in a Sentence

Noun Their relationship was an emotional seesaw. Verb The lead seesawed between the two runners right up to the finish line. as their boat seesawed in the rough water, the rescue team tried to get the passengers off the sinking ship
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The final score may betray the possibility the seesaw of a final could have gone either way. David K. Li, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2024 No one has experienced the recent seesaw of the Democratic Party in New York like Jones has. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
That seesawing power dynamic between them continues in Season 2 in a way that we’re allowed to expand. Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2024 As for the actual strength of the yuan, its value relative to the dollar has seesawed in the past few years, despite the PBOC’s efforts to keep a stable exchange rate. Chan Ka Sing, Reuters, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for seesaw 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seesaw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from reduplication of saw entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seesaw was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near seesaw

Cite this Entry

“Seesaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seesaw. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

seesaw

1 of 2 noun
see·​saw ˈsē-ˌsȯ How to pronounce seesaw (audio)
1
a
: an up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion or movement
b
: a contest or struggle in which now one side now the other has the lead
2
a
: a game in which two children or groups of children ride on opposite ends of a plank balanced in the middle so that one end goes up as the other goes down
b
: the plank used in the game of seesaw
seesaw adjective

seesaw

2 of 2 verb
seesawed; seesawing
1
: to move like a seesaw
2
: to play on a seesaw

More from Merriam-Webster on seesaw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!