wedge

1 of 2

noun

ˈwej 

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

2

a

: 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

Illustration of wedge

• W wedge 1

wedge

2 of 2

verb

wedged; wedging

transitive verb

1

: to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge

2

a

: 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

intransitive verb

: to become wedged

Synonyms

Verb

• cram
• crowd
• crush
• jam
• ram
• sandwich
• shoehorn
• squeeze
• stuff

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

Members argued the resolution didn’t address problems the state is facing, such as the high cost of living, and was being wielded as as political wedge. —Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025

Just send a wedge down the drain and turn on the disposal. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

Verb

On the eve of Chase Center’s first All-Star Game in its six-year history, fans crowded in to instead watch the standard 3-point Contest in which Oakland native Damian Lillard sought a third straight victory, with that event wedged between the Skills Challenge and the Dunk Contest. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025

An elk fell into a narrow ditch and was wedged upside down in Arizona, photos show. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing wedge

• drive a wedge between
• flying wedge
• pitching wedge
• the thin end of the wedge
• wedge issue

Rhymes for wedge

• dredge
• edge
• hedge
• ledge
• pledge
• sedge
• sledge
• allege
• straightedge

Kids Definition

wedge

1 of 2 noun

ˈwej 

1

: a piece of wood or metal with a pointed edge used especially to split wood or rocks and to lift heavy weights

2

: something (as a piece of pie or land) shaped like a triangle

3

a

: something (as a policy or action) that causes a separation or break

the decision drove a wedge between them

b

: something that serves to open the way for an action or development

wedge

2 of 2 verb

wedged; wedging

1

: to fasten or tighten by or as if by driving in a wedge

2

a

: to press or force into a narrow space

wedged a stick into the crack

b

: to force (one's way) into or through

wedged his way into the crowd

3

: to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge