sword

noun

often attributive
1
: a weapon (such as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority
2
a
: an agency or instrument of destruction or combat
b
: the use of force
the pen is mightier than the swordE. G. Bulwer-Lytton
3
: coercive power
4
: something that resembles a sword
swordlike adjective

Illustration of sword

Illustration of sword
  • 1 pommel
  • 2 hilt
  • 3 guard
  • 4 blade
Phrases
at swords' points
: mutually antagonistic : ready to fight

Examples of sword in a Sentence

once upon a time dueling with swords was the gentlemanly way to settle a point of honor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sam Heughan cuts a cake with a sword to celebrate 100 episodes of Outlander in exclusive photos One of the saddest moments of the show yet was poor Rollo's death. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025 With her avatar’s oversized sword and comically skimpy battle armor, Apolline takes on one quest after another, rarely leaving the folds of her bedroom. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025 Yukio Mishima was a great writer, but the manner of his death, by seppuku, slitting his stomach with a samurai sword, may now be better known to most people than his novels or plays—a pity, because many of his novels are very much worth reading. Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025 This remarkable event serves as not only an important anecdote in scientific literacy, but a testament to nature’s capacity for life to endure — even with a sword to the head. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sword 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swert sword

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sword was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sword

Cite this Entry

“Sword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sword. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

sword

noun
ˈsō(ə)rd How to pronounce sword (audio)
ˈsȯ(ə)rd
1
: a weapon having a long blade usually with a sharp point and edge
2
: the use of force
swordlike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sword

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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