sling

¹ American  

[sling] / slɪŋ /

noun

1. a device for hurling stones or other missiles that consists, typically, of a short strap with a long string at each end and that is operated by placing the missile in the strap, and, holding the ends of the strings in one hand, whirling the instrument around in a circle and releasing one of the strings to discharge the missile.

2. slingshot.

3. a bandage used to suspend or support an injured part of the body, commonly a bandage suspended from the neck to support an injured arm or hand.

4. a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.

5. sling-back.

6. an act or instance of slinging.

7. a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.

8. Nautical.

   1. a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.

   2. slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.

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verb (used with object)

slings, present (3rd person singular) slung, past participle, past slinging present participle

1. to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.

   Synonyms:

   toss, pitch

2. to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.

3. to raise, lower, etc., by such means.

4. to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely.

   to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.

5. to suspend.

   to sling a hammock between two trees.

idioms

1. sling hash, to work as a waiter or waitress, especially at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.

sling ² American  

[sling] / slɪŋ /

noun

1. an iced alcoholic drink, typically containing gin, water, sugar, and lemon or lime juice.

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sling ¹ British  

/ slɪŋ /

noun

1. a simple weapon consisting of a loop of leather, etc, in which a stone is whirled and then let fly

2. a rope or strap by which something may be secured or lifted

3. a rope net swung from a crane, used for loading and unloading cargo

4. nautical

   1. a halyard for a yard

   2. (often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached

5. med a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck for supporting an injured hand or arm across the front of the body

6. a loop or band attached to an object for carrying

7. mountaineering a loop of rope or tape used for support in belays, abseils, etc

8. the act of slinging

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verb

1. (tr) to hurl with or as if with a sling

2. to attach a sling or slings to (a load, etc)

3. (tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling

   to sling washing from the line

4. informal to throw

5. informal (intr) to pay a part of one's wages or profits as a bribe or tip

sling ² British  

/ slɪŋ /

noun

1. a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened

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sling More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing sling

• ass in a sling

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• slinger
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• slinging
  present
• slung
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• sling
  simple
• slings
  simple
• have slung
  perfect
• has slung
  perfect
• am slinging
  progressive
• are slinging
  progressive
• is slinging
  progressive
• have been slinging
  perfect progressive
• has been slinging
  perfect progressive

Past

• slung
  simple
• had slung
  perfect
• was slinging
  progressive
• were slinging
  progressive
• had been slinging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will sling
  simple
• will have slung
  perfect
• will be slinging
  progressive
• will have been slinging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of sling¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (verb) slyngen, from Old Norse slyngva “to sling, fling,” cognate with Old English slingan “to wind, twist”; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the verb, though the sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct origin

Origin of sling²

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sling slings slung slinging

Moments after Bosnia-Herzegovina had beaten Italy on penalties to qualify for only their second World Cup, Dzeko celebrated cautiously while nursing his arm in a sling.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

During the early stages of development, giant planets can pass dangerously close to one another and sometimes sling neighboring worlds completely out of their solar systems.

From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026

Tigri, grim-faced in body armor, stood next to Samary, slightly comical with his helmet askew and rifle hanging from a sling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

Jimenez - who has been free on a $10,000 bond — appeared with his right hand in a sling at a federal court in Riverside on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025

Ellidyr seized one end of the sling and thrust ahead.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

"There will be a lot of dirt and slings thrown around in court between Musk and Altman and that is not a good thing for anyone involved...but Musk has made this personal."

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

While he sparred with Mamdani on the campaign trail, Sliwa praised him for wanting to get a cat, noting it will remain loyal even as Mamdani deals with the slings and arrows of political life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026

The winner of this primary might have earned little more than a third of the vote, and will enter the fall’s general election bloodied from high-profile slings and arrows from their own side.

From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2026

“He slings it,” tight end Jack Pedersen said of Iamaleava’s throwing style.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2025

She refuses to wear shoes and used to carry her children and grandchildren in slings on her back.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Bassist Anan "Tor" Prasert, 37, said he received minor burns but escaped the blaze relatively quickly -- with his bass guitar still slung over his shoulder.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

Some looked down at their phones, texting as members of the public slung question after question that Abigail Marquez, general manager of L.A.’s Community Investment Department, largely couldn’t answer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

In the fields beyond, a squash farmer trudged home, a sack slung over his shoulder heavy with his harvest.

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026

As he strutted into the UConn locker room after the game, he had his arm slung around Mullins’s shoulders and only one word on his mind.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

He slung his arm behind me and gazed at me.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

They also form a partnership and set out to make their fortune and save the planet with a tidal-energy company that they claim will “power our civilization by slinging a yoke around the moon.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

But when second-year quarterback Drake Maye broke out into an improbable MVP contender, he lifted the Patriots to their first AFC East title since Tom Brady was slinging the ball in New England.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026

Three days later, as thousands of probing eyes watched his every move, Iamaleava was slinging passes with considerably more zip.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2025

I would bet an entire wishbone they’re slinging pans of macaroni and cheese that will bring the house down.

From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2025

“The kid,” says Owen, slinging a finger like he’s hitting the point on a map.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• dangle
• fling
• heave
• hoist
• hurl
• lob