Illustration of atlatl
- A atlatl
atlatl
noun
at·latl
ˈät-ˌlä-tᵊl 
: a device for throwing a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with a projection (such as a hook) at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until released
Examples of atlatl in a Sentence
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Other than the knife and a wooden artifact found in a pack rat’s nest, thought to be the shaft of an atlatl dart-throwing tool, no human artifacts or remains were ever found there.
—
Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
The oldest item is an atlatl, otherwise known as a spear thrower, which the researchers described in a 2023 paper in The Journal of Big Bend Studies.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
In addition to the atlatl, the archaeologists also found a fragment of a boomerang, long wooden tips that might have been used to deliver poison to prey, and wooden darts and stone tips.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Although throws made with the atlatl are faster, the javelin has more kinetic energy because of its higher mass.
—Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
At this year’s gathering, participants were taught how to use the atlatl, a spear-throwing hunting tool that predates the bow and arrow.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
To celebrate, the active paleontological dig site and museum is hosting Mammoth Days on June 21 and 22, complete with kids’ bouncy houses, a barbecue and food trucks, and even an atlatl (a type of spear-throwing device) competition.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Among their finds, archaeologists identified an atlatl, which is a spear-like dart thrower, and two wooden darts.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
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Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
The oldest item is an atlatl, otherwise known as a spear thrower, which the researchers described in a 2023 paper in The Journal of Big Bend Studies.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
In addition to the atlatl, the archaeologists also found a fragment of a boomerang, long wooden tips that might have been used to deliver poison to prey, and wooden darts and stone tips.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Although throws made with the atlatl are faster, the javelin has more kinetic energy because of its higher mass.
—Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
At this year’s gathering, participants were taught how to use the atlatl, a spear-throwing hunting tool that predates the bow and arrow.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
To celebrate, the active paleontological dig site and museum is hosting Mammoth Days on June 21 and 22, complete with kids’ bouncy houses, a barbecue and food trucks, and even an atlatl (a type of spear-throwing device) competition.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Among their finds, archaeologists identified an atlatl, which is a spear-like dart thrower, and two wooden darts.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Atlatl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atlatl. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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