toe

1 of 2

noun

ˈtō 

1

a(1)

: one of the terminal members of the vertebrate foot

(2)

: the fore end of a foot or hoof

b

: a terminal segment of a limb of an invertebrate

c

: the forepart of something worn on the foot

the toe of a boot

2

: a part that by its position or form is felt to resemble a toe

the toe of Italy

: such as

a

: a lateral projection at one end or between the ends of a piece (such as a rod or bolt)

b

: the lowest part (as of an embankment, dam, or cliff)

3

: toe dance

toeless

ˈtō-ləs 

adjective

toe

2 of 2

verb

toed; toeing

transitive verb

1

: to touch, reach, or drive with the toe

toe a football

2

: to furnish with a toe

toe a sock

3

: to drive (something, such as a nail) obliquely

also : to clinch or fasten by or with nails or rods so driven

intransitive verb

1

: tiptoe

2

: to stand, walk, or be placed so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction

toe in

Phrases

on one's toes

: alert sense 1

toe to toe

: facing one another

toe the line or toe the mark

: to conform rigorously to a rule or standard

Examples of toe in a Sentence

Noun

He felt the sand between his toes.

I accidentally stepped on her toe.

I stubbed my toe on the table's leg.

My sock has a hole in the toe.

the toe of her boot

the toe of the peninsula

Verb

She toed off her shoes.

The pitcher toed the rubber.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But how is this sounding to you, just from your experience, just dipping a toe into the panettone waters? —Bon Appétit, 18 Dec. 2024

The Mountaineers will rely heavily on his explosiveness to keep Memphis on their toes. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Verb

So how did Jenkins toe that line, balancing serious topics and kid adventure? —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

The swing-district candidates cast themselves as moderates who didn’t toe the party line. —Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English to, from Old English tā; akin to Old High German zēha toe

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1660, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing toe

• big toe
• Covid toe
• dip/put/stick a toe in the water
• from head to foot/toe
• from top to toe
• great toe
• heel-and-toe
• little toe
• stub one's toe
• tick-tack-toe
• tic-tac-toe
• toe cap
• toe dance
• toe-in
• toe loop
• toe the line
• toe the mark
• turf toe

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

Kids Definition

toe

1 of 2 noun

ˈtō 

1

a

: one of the jointed parts of the front end of a vertebrate foot

b

: the front end or part of a foot or hoof

c

: the front end or part of something worn on the foot

2

: something that resembles a toe

toe

2 of 2 verb

toed; toeing

: to touch, reach, or kick with the toes

Medical Definition

toe

noun

ˈtō 

: one of the terminal members of a vertebrate's foot