fang

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈfaŋ 

1

a

: a long sharp tooth: such as

(1)

: one by which an animal's prey is seized and held or torn

(2)

: one of the long hollow or grooved and often erectile teeth of a venomous snake

b

: one of the chelicerae of a spider at the tip of which a poison gland opens

2

: the root of a tooth or one of the processes or prongs into which a root divides

3

: a projecting tooth or prong

fanged

ˈfaŋd 

adjective

Fang

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈfaŋ  ˈfäŋ 

variants or less commonly Fan

ˈfan  ˈfän 

plural Fang or Fangs also Fan or Fans

1

: a member of a Bantu-speaking people of northern Gabon, mainland Equatorial Guinea, and southern Cameroon

2

: the language of the Fang people

Examples of fang in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the fangs of a rattlesnake

a tiger baring its fangs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The snakes, despite being relatively common, rarely bite people in Australia, and an existing anti-venom helps save the lives of those who do end up on the wrong end of the snakes’ fangs. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025

The movie business starts sharpening its fang for big business in 2025 in January with Wolf Man, and the first big superhero movie of the year takes flight in February with Captain America: Brave New World. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

The set includes Aragog with poseable legs, fangs, and pedipalps, as well as baby spiders, accessories, and minifigures of the two characters with faces that can change from happy to scared. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Valencia had his canine teeth modified to look like fangs in order to break down any stereotypes people may have about Paralympic athletes. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, that which is taken, from Old English; akin to Old High German fang seizure, Old English fōn to seize — more at pact

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fang

noun

ˈfaŋ 

1

a

: one of the long sharp teeth which are used by an animal to seize, hold, and tear apart its prey

b

: one of the long hollow or grooved teeth of a poisonous snake

2

: a root of a tooth

fanged

ˈfaŋd 

adjective

Medical Definition

fang

noun

ˈfaŋ 

1

a

: a long sharp tooth: as

(1)

: one by which an animal's prey is seized and held or torn

(2)

: one of the long hollow or grooved and often erectile teeth of a venomous snake

b

: one of a spider's chelicerae at the tip of which a poison gland opens

2

: the root of a tooth or one of the processes or prongs into which a root divides

fanged

ˈfaŋd 

adjective