vise

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈvīs 

1

: any of various tools with two jaws for holding work that close usually by a screw, lever, or cam

2

: something likened to a vise

economic vise of slow growth and rampant price increases

—David Milne

viselike

ˈvīs-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of vise

• vise 1

vise

2 of 4

verb (1)

vised; vising

transitive verb

: to hold, force, or squeeze with or as if with a vise

visé

3 of 4

verb (2)

vi·​sé ˈvē-ˌzā 

vē-ˈzā

viséd or viséed; viséing

transitive verb

: visa

visé

4 of 4

noun (2)

: visa

Examples of vise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The passage of Obamacare over industry opposition was the first sign that the private sector’s political vise grip was loosening, with the Obama White House successfully dividing the industry against itself, targeting insurers and hospitals for cuts while in effect buying off pharma’s opposition. —Dylan Scott, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024

But without insurance covering the $40,000 tab, fertility treatments – not to mention other expenses like student loans, day care, the mortgage – have twisted the family’s budget into a financial vise so tight there is little left for college or retirement. —Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

McDonald’s left leg was vised between two plates of armored steel. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English vys, vice screw, from Anglo-French vyz, from Latin vitis vine — more at withy

Verb (2)

French, past participle of viser to visa, from visa

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1602, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1810, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1842, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vise

noun

ˈvīs

: any of various tools with two jaws for holding work that close usually by a screw or lever

viselike adjective