hilt

noun

: a handle especially of a sword or dagger
Phrases
to the hilt
1
: to the very limit : completely
the farm was mortgaged to the hilt
2
: with nothing lacking
played the role to the hilt

Examples of hilt in a Sentence

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.
Likewise, Ohtani played the market to the hilt leaving the Los Angeles Angels for the Dodgers last year in late December. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Maliki is a divisive brute whom Iran supports to the hilt. Dov Friedman, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2014 Critics had their knives out for this counterterrorism action series on Paramount+, starring Zoe Saldana as a CIA operative named Joe who trains female assassins—among them, a badass marine named Cruz played to the hilt by the relatively unknown Laysla De Oliveira. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024 Crafted from plastic, it’s been painted in a metallic finish and adorned with jewel embellishments to mimic the hilts of the swords that have been melted together. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hilt 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German helza hilt

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near hilt

Cite this Entry

“Hilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hilt. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hilt

noun
: a handle especially of a sword or dagger

More from Merriam-Webster on hilt

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!