wing
8 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
wings
plural
wings
Britannica Dictionary definition of WING
1
[count]
a
:
a part of an animal's body that is used for flying or gliding
—
see picture at bird
-
a bird's wing
-
bat/insect wings
b
:
the wing of a bird and especially a chicken eaten as food
— often plural
—
see also buffalo wing
-
We ordered some wings.
2
[count]
:
one of usually two long, flat parts of an airplane that extend from the sides and make it possible for the airplane to fly
—
see picture at airplane;
see also water wings
3
[count]
:
a particular section of a large building
-
In the library's north wing, you'll find the current periodicals.
-
She works in the pediatric wing of the hospital.
-
The guest room is in the east wing.
4
the wings
:
the areas on the sides of a stage where performers wait before going onto the stage
— often used figuratively
-
She was standing in the wings, waiting for her cue.
-
The issue has been lurking/waiting in the wings [=it has been waiting to be dealt with] for several years.
5
[count]
a
:
a particular part of a large organization or group
-
The conservative wing of the party opposed the legislation.
-
the political wing of the organization
b
:
a group of military airplanes
-
the 107th Fighter Wing
6
[count]
sports
:
a person who plays on the offense in a position that is towards the sides of the playing area in sports like hockey and soccer
-
The left/right wing passed the ball to the center.
— called also
winger
7
clip someone's wings
:
to limit someone's ability to do or say things
-
They clipped his wings by withholding funding for his projects.
get your wings
chiefly US, informal
1
:
to officially become a pilot
:
to receive the license that allows you to fly an airplane, helicopter, etc.
-
The pilots all got their wings at the end of training.
2
:
to gain experience in something
-
He got his wings as a volunteer by doing work in a soup kitchen.
on a wing and a prayer
informal
:
without much chance of success
-
She took the job on a wing and a prayer.
on the wing
:
in flight
-
The birds were on the wing. [=were flying]
spread your wings
:
to become more independent and confident
:
to try doing new things
-
He's known as a comic actor, but he's spreading his wings and trying a serious role in his new movie.
-
College gave her a chance to spread her wings.
take (someone) under your wing
:
to help, teach, or take care of (someone who is younger or has less experience than you)
-
He took the rookie pitcher under his wing.
-
She took me under her wing and showed me how things were done.
take wing
:
to begin to fly
— often used figuratively
-
The ducks took wing and flew away.
-
Let your imagination take wing and explore the possibilities.
-
an animal with winglike appendages
2
wing
/ˈwɪŋ/
verb
wings;
winged;
winging
2
wing
/ˈwɪŋ/
verb
wings;
winged;
winging
Britannica Dictionary definition of WING
1
:
to travel to a place by flying there
[no object]
-
The team winged to Moscow for the finals.
-
winging across the country
[+ object]
-
She winged her way to Paris [=she flew to Paris] for the weekend.
2
[+ object]
US, informal
:
to throw (something) forcefully
-
She winged the ball over to first base.
3
[+ object]
US, informal
:
to touch or hit (someone or something) especially in the arm or wing while moving past
:
graze
-
The soldier was winged by a stray bullet.
wing it
informal
:
to do or try to do something without much practice or preparation
-
I hadn't practiced the part, so I got up there and winged it.
-
We weren't sure what we were doing. We were just winging it.
