lash

1 of 3

verb (1)

lashed; lashing; lashes

intransitive verb

1
: to move violently or suddenly : dash
2
: to thrash or beat violently
rain lashed at the windowpanes
3
: to make a verbal attack or retort
usually used with out

transitive verb

1
a
: to whip or fling about violently
the big cat lashed its tail about threateningly
b
: to strike or beat with or as if with a whip
waves lashed the shore
2
a
: to assail with stinging words
b
: drive, whip
lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech

lash

2 of 3

noun

1
a(1)
: a stroke with or as if with a whip
(2)
: the flexible part of a whip
also : whip
b
: punishment by whipping
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3
: a stinging rebuke
4
5
: the clearance or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts

lash

3 of 3

verb (2)

lashed; lashing; lashes

transitive verb

: to bind with or as if with a line

Examples of lash in a Sentence

Verb (1) the cat's tail nervously lashed the table leg all night long sheets of rain lashed the windows Noun They gave the sailor 50 lashes for disobeying orders. The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Wack 100 has lashed out against J. Prince in response to the latter mentioning the former during a recent livestream on social media. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Indeed, no one is more preoccupied with such star power than Donald Trump himself, who basks in the adulation and approval of luminaries who support him and regularly lashes out at those who don’t. Brian Lowry, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Her look included a telltale white streak in her red hair, dark bejeweled aura nails, and spidery lashes with a spider brooch to match. Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024 Her makeup included bold brows, a smokey eye, long lashes and a glossy, neutral lip. Julia Teti, WWD, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lash 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English

Verb (2)

Middle English lasschyn to lace, from Anglo-French lacer, lasser — more at lace

First Known Use

Verb (1)

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

Noun

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

Verb (2)

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lash was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lash

Cite this Entry

“Lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lash. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

lash

1 of 3 verb
1
: to move violently or suddenly
2
: to strike with or as if with a whip
3
: to attack with strong language
usually used with out
lashed out at his sister

lash

2 of 3 noun
1
a
: a stroke with a whip or switch
b
: the flexible part of a whip
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3

lash

3 of 3 verb
: to tie down with a rope, cord, or chain
lasher noun
Etymology

Verb

Middle English lassen "to move violently or suddenly"

Verb

Middle English lasschen "to lace," from early French lacer (same meaning), derived from Latin laqueare "to snare, catch in a noose," from laqueus "noose, snare" — related to lace, lasso entry 1 see Word History at lace

Medical Definition

lash

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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