wedge
noun
\ ˈwej
\
\
Definition of wedge
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a piece of a substance (such as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something
2a
: something (such as a policy) causing a breach or separation
b
: something used to initiate an action or development
3
: something wedge-shaped: such as
a
: an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge
b
: the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters
c
: a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole
d
: an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft
4
: a golf shot made with a wedge
— called also wedge shot
wedge
verb
wedged;
wedging
Definition of wedge (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge
2a
: to force or press (something) into a narrow space : cram
b
: to force (one's way) into or through
3
: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge
: to become wedged
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Synonyms for wedge
Synonyms: Verb
cram, crowd, crush, jam, ram, sandwich, shoehorn, squeeze, stuff
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Examples of wedge in a Sentence
Noun
He used a wedge to split the firewood. A wedge held the door open. The battalion formed a wedge and marched toward the enemy.Verb
She wedged her foot into the crack. The dog got wedged between the couch and the end table. I wedged myself into the car's back seat. She wedged the door open.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Pyongyang and Beijing have long sought to drive a wedge in the relationships between all three countries in order to push their own goals. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "North Korea and China are huge winners in the worsening Japan-South Korea spat," 23 Aug. 2019 The changes also drove a wedge between the faculty and administration at Santa Clara. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Bucking federal policy, California court blocks church attack on abortion coverage," 22 Aug. 2019 Foreign agents of disinformation would amplify the division, driving wedges between communities and sowing chaos. — Claire Wardle, Scientific American, "Misinformation Has Created a New World Disorder," 20 Aug. 2019 The toll of consistently traveling away from home, having paparazzi chasing you down 24/7 and nosey social media followers tracking your every move can easily drive a wedge between couples. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, "Goals! 15 Black Celebrity Couples Whose Love Has Stood The Test Of Time," 17 July 2019 Analysts said Moscow might use the sale of the S-400 system to secure other big defense contracts with Turkey, driving a wedge between Ankara and other NATO members and casting itself as a dependable military partner. — Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, "Turkey Receives Russian Missile System, Risking U.S. Sanctions," 12 July 2019 Tesla's recent purchase of Maxwell Technologies, which makes automotive- and utility-grade battery components, may also have driven a wedge between the companies. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Report: Tesla working on battery-cell R&D to loosen ties with Panasonic," 26 June 2019 In the meantime, the DoD and NSA workforces suffer from low morale and continue to lose their smartest talent to the better-paying private sector, further driving a wedge between Silicon Valley and Washington. — Matthew Gault, The New Republic, "The U.S. Government Is Utterly Inept at Keeping Your Data Secure," 12 June 2019 Just about everyone appreciates lemon and lime wedges. — Kara Elder, Washington Post, "There’s a world of cured fish beyond lox. Here’s what to try and how to make it.," 2 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
At that point, the load of wood shifted and fell off the flatbed, becoming wedged between the two trucks, damaging both. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Worker drops 30 feet with falling tree, regains consciousness: Hunting Valley Police Blotter," 23 Aug. 2019 But amid the usual bustle were subtle signs of the entrenched problem: Half-full water bottles hung from residents’ back pockets and sat wedged between the spokes of children’s bicycles. — Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, "‘Tasting Funny for Years’: Lead in the Water and a City in Crisis," 20 Aug. 2019 Later, the man, identified as 59-year-old Elvin Ray Fox, was found wedged between two concrete block walls, Akin said. — Dallas News, "Man with gun found wedged between walls at high school, Wise County sheriff says," 9 Aug. 2019 The 360 square-kilometre sliver of land, wedged between the Sinai Peninsula and Israel, is crowded with 2m people, most of whom don’t consider Gaza their ancestral home. — The Economist, "How to eat well while living under siege," 2 Aug. 2019 On July 25, police in Kalispell, Montana, a small city in the northern part of the state wedged between the Flathead National Forest and Kootenai National Forest, stopped Salcido and Janiak in their car. — Ben Kesslen, NBC News, "2-year old boy from Oregon missing after parents die in apparent murder-suicide in Montana," 27 July 2019 The film shocked audiences with realistic scenes of the demonic wedged between portraits of human doubt and guilt. — Time Staff, Time, "15 Unsung Moments From American History That Historians Say You Should Know About," 28 June 2019 And in what’s increasingly a young man’s game, Freeman, wedged between the kids and the curmudgeons, remains the club’s dominant force. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Braves ready to run away with NL East? 'It's hard not to notice us'," 24 June 2019 Some say it’s wedged between the couch cushions or smooshed under the dog. — Evan Allgood, The New Yorker, "The Six Remotes in Your Dad’s Entertainment Center," 15 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wedge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for wedge
wedge
noun
English Language Learners Definition of wedge
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a piece of wood, metal, etc., with one pointed end and one thicker end that is used to split something, to fit into a space, to separate two things stuck together, etc.
: something that is shaped like a triangle or wedge
: a golf club that is used for hitting short, high shots
wedge
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of wedge (Entry 2 of 2)
: to force (someone or something) into a very small or narrow space
: to use a wedge or similar object to keep (something, such as a door or window) in an open or closed position
See the full definition for wedge in the English Language Learners Dictionary