sling

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈsliŋ 

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to cast with a sudden and usually sweeping or swirling motion

slung the sack over my shoulder

2

: to throw with or as if with a sling

slinging punches

political campaigners slinging mud

3

: to serve (food) to a customer

had a job slinging hamburgers

slinger

ˈsliŋ-ər 

noun

sling

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: an instrument for throwing stones that usually consists of a short strap with strings fastened to its ends and is whirled round to discharge its missile by centrifugal force

b

: slingshot sense 1

2

a

: a usually looped line (as of strap, chain, or rope) used to hoist, lower, or carry something

especially : a hanging bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or hand

b

: a chain or rope attached to a lower yard at the middle and passing around a mast near the masthead to support a yard

c

: a chain hooked at the bow and stern of a boat for lowering or hoisting

d

: a device (such as a rope net) for enclosing material to be hoisted by a tackle or crane

3

: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile

sling

3 of 4

verb (2)

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to place in a sling for hoisting or lowering

2

: to suspend by or as if by a sling

sling

4 of 4

noun (2)

: an alcoholic drink that is served hot or cold and that usually consists of liquor, sugar, lemon juice, and plain or carbonated water

gin sling

rum sling

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• cast
• catapult
• chuck
• dash
• fire
• fling
• heave
• hurl
• hurtle
• launch
• lob
• loft
• peg
• pelt
• pitch
• throw
• toss

Verb (2)

• dangle
• hang
• suspend
• swing

Choose the Right Synonym for sling

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Examples of sling in a Sentence

Verb (1)

slinging stones at the fence post

Verb (2)

sling a hammock between the trees

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Annette offers to get her friend a job slinging cocktails. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025

The male came back to the tree, slinging an infant on its back. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Noun

Pope Francis' arm is in a sling Thursday after the Vatican confirmed he was injured in a fall, the second such incident in a matter of weeks. —Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025

Francis appeared on Thursday with his right arm in a sling following the fall at his residence in the Santa Marta hotel, the Vatican confirmed. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, probably from Old Norse slyngva to hurl; akin to Old English & Old High German slingan to worm, twist, Lithuanian slinkti

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sling

• sling one's hook
• sling/throw mud

Kids Definition

sling

1 of 3 verb

ˈsliŋ 

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

1

: to throw with a sudden sweeping motion

slung the sweater over her shoulder

2

: to throw with a sling

slinger

ˈsliŋ-ər 

noun

sling

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a short strap with strings fastened to its ends that is whirled round to throw something (as a stone)

b

: slingshot

2

: something (as a rope or chain) used to hoist, lower, support, or carry something

especially : a bandage hanging from the neck to support an arm or hand

3

: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile

sling

3 of 3 verb

slung ˈsləŋ  ; slinging ˈsliŋ-iŋ 

1

: to put in or move or support with a sling

2

: to hang from two points

sling a hammock

Medical Definition

sling

noun

ˈsliŋ 

1

: a hanging bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or hand

2

: a harness especially constructed for supporting a sick animal in a standing position