the wire
noun
US
: a thin piece of string that the winner of a race breaks through at the end of the race
The marathon ended in a sprint to the wire by the two top runners.
—often used figurativelyThe election went/came (right) down to the wire.
Examples of the wire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That means the season will complete its run in late May, just under the wire for Emmy eligibility this year.
—
Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
In the United States, government agencies have implemented the name change, yes, but the AP has customers around the world, including in countries that recognize the Gulf of Mexico, so the wire service refers to the original name while also acknowledging Trump’s recent order.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Potential participants sign up by accessing the app when told to open it – which will surely upset some football fans if the game goes down to the wire.
—Eric Deggans, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
De La Torre said the wire was purchased during the first Trump administration, but shortly after Joe Biden took office, infrastructure projects were put on hold.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the wire
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
In the United States, government agencies have implemented the name change, yes, but the AP has customers around the world, including in countries that recognize the Gulf of Mexico, so the wire service refers to the original name while also acknowledging Trump’s recent order.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Potential participants sign up by accessing the app when told to open it – which will surely upset some football fans if the game goes down to the wire.
—Eric Deggans, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
De La Torre said the wire was purchased during the first Trump administration, but shortly after Joe Biden took office, infrastructure projects were put on hold.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the wire
Cite this Entry
“The wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20wire. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share