sword

[ sawrd, sohrd ]

noun

1. a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.
2. this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc.:

   The pen is mightier than the sword.

3. a cause of death or destruction.
4. war, combat, slaughter, or violence, especially military force or aggression:

   to perish by the sword.

5. Sword. Military. the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.

sword

/ sɔːd /

noun

1. a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two cutting edges, a hilt, and usually a crosspiece or guard
2. such a weapon worn on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority
3. something resembling a sword, such as the snout of a swordfish
4. cross swords
   to argue or fight
5. the sword
   1. violence or power, esp military power
   2. death; destruction

      to put to the sword

Derived Forms

• ˈswordˌlike, adjective
• ˈswordless, adjective

Other Words From

• swordless adjective
• swordlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sword¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sweord; cognate with Dutch zwaard, German Schwert, Old Norse sverth

Word History and Origins

Origin of sword¹

Old English sweord; related to Old Saxon swerd, Old Norse sverth, Old High German swert

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at swords' points, mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed:

   Father and son are constantly at swords' point.

2. cross swords,
   1. to engage in combat; fight.
   2. to disagree violently; argue:

      The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.

3. put to the sword, to slay; execute:

   The entire population of the town was put to the sword.

More idioms and phrases containing sword

In addition to the idiom beginning with sword , also see at sword's point ; cross swords .

Example Sentences

They named the animal Skiphosoura bavarica meaning ‘sword tail from Bavaria’ because it comes from southern Germany and has a very unusual short, but stiff and pointed tail.

From Science Daily

He’s also set records for balancing a lawnmower on his chin, getting hit in the face with wet sponges, and slicing grapes with a sword while standing on a ball.

From NewsForKids.net

Stress is a double-edged sword when it comes to memory: stressful or otherwise emotional events are usually more memorable, but stress can also make it harder for us to retrieve memories.

From Science Daily

A consultation on banning "ninja swords" was also announced this week.

From BBC

The mother of the guy who played Troilus made all the costumes, Mandvi recalled, and so he came out onstage with a cardboard sword with a crease in it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• saber