sword

noun

ˈsȯrd 

often attributive

1

: a weapon (such as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority

2

a

: an agency or instrument of destruction or combat

b

: the use of force

the pen is mightier than the sword

—E. G. Bulwer-Lytton

3

: coercive power

4

: something that resembles a sword

swordlike

ˈsȯrd-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of sword

• 1 pommel
• 2 hilt
• 3 guard
• 4 blade

Phrases

at swords' points

: mutually antagonistic : ready to fight

Synonyms

• blade
• brand
• steel

Examples of sword in a Sentence

once upon a time dueling with swords was the gentlemanly way to settle a point of honor

Recent Examples on the Web

One man in Northampton County offered seven swords to anyone willing to fight the new tax. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

The toy comes to life, fends off some ornery mice with his sword and leads Clara through a wintry dreamworld of dancing Christmas treats. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Dec. 2024

The exterior of the bridge also forms a sword to symbolize courage, power and authority. —Kanika Talwar, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024

Dido, after her lover Aeneas deserts her, kills herself with his sword on a funeral pyre, but not before building an effigy of him to burn alongside her. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swert sword

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sword

• double-edged sword
• fall on one's sword
• put (someone) to the sword
• sword cane
• sword dance
• sword fern
• sword grass
• sword knot
• sword of Damocles
• two-edged sword

Kids Definition

sword

noun

ˈsō(ə)rd 

ˈsȯ(ə)rd

1

: a weapon having a long blade usually with a sharp point and edge

2

: the use of force

swordlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective