lunge

1 of 2

noun

ˈlənj 

1

: a quick thrust or jab (as of a sword) usually made by leaning or striding forward

2

: a sudden forward rush or reach

made a lunge to catch the ball

3

: an exercise in which a person in a standing position steps forward into a position in which the front knee is deeply bent while keeping the torso erect and then returns back to the starting position

also : a similar exercise in which the initial movement is to the side rather than forward

Note: A lunge can be done while holding weights or without weights.

lunge

2 of 2

verb

lunged; lunging

intransitive verb

1

: to make a lunge : move with or as if with a lunge

2

: to perform a lunge exercise (see lunge entry 1 sense 3)

transitive verb

: to thrust or propel (something, such as a blow) in a lunge

Synonyms

Noun

• dab
• dig
• jab
• poke

Examples of lunge in a Sentence

Noun

He made a lunge at me with his knife.

He made a desperate lunge for the ball.

Verb

He lunged at me with his knife.

She lunged across the table.

The crocodile lunged at its prey.

The dog lunged for his throat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Take breaks for resistance exercises: Stop at specific time or distance intervals and do some body weight resistance strengthening exercises, such as squats, jumping jacks, lunges, or push-ups. —Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

Within seconds, an officer gets out of the car and lunges toward McAlpin. —Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

Moore lunged for the leather at the Bruins’ 13-yard line, cradling the ball and victory in his hands. —Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Verstappen then lunged on the inside of Norris at Turn 8, a fast left-hander, and never came close to making the corner, forcing the McLaren wide. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of French allonge extension, reach, from Old French alonge, from alongier to lengthen, from Vulgar Latin *allongare, from Latin ad- ad- + Late Latin longare, from Latin longus long

First Known Use

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1772, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

lunge

1 of 2 noun

ˈlənj 

1

: a sudden stretching thrust or pass (as with a sword)

2

: a sudden forward rush or reach

lunge

2 of 2 verb

lunged; lunging

1

: to move with or as if with a lunge

2

: to make a lunge (as with a sword)