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noun

hacksaw

Hacksaw (noun) means a hand saw with a thin, tensioned blade, used mainly for cutting metal. Example: “He used a hacksaw to trim the metal pipe to length.”

noun
1
A hand saw with a thin, tensioned blade, used mainly for cutting metal.
"He used a hacksaw to trim the metal pipe to length."
verb
1
To cut something using a hacksaw.
"She hacksawed through the old padlock."

How to use hacksaw

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA saw designed for cutting metal, with a thin replaceable blade held under tension in a frame.

Word forms

hacksawed past tense, hacksawn past tense, hacksaws plural, hacksaws singular

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Fill the gap

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He used a _____ to trim the metal pipe to length.

Etymology

From hack plus saw; first recorded in English in 1867.

· First attested 1867

Class of 1867 hacksaw joined the language around 1867.
See the full Class of 1867 →
hack saw metal saw

Frequently asked questions

What does “hacksaw” mean?

The word “hacksaw” means a hand saw with a thin, tensioned blade, used mainly for cutting metal. In plain terms, a saw designed for cutting metal, with a thin replaceable blade held under tension in a frame.

How do you use “hacksaw” in a sentence?

Here is “hacksaw” used in a sentence: “He used a hacksaw to trim the metal pipe to length.”

What part of speech is “hacksaw”?

Depending on how it is used, “hacksaw” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hacksaw” come from?

The word “hacksaw” dates back to around 1867. From hack plus saw; first recorded in English in 1867.

How many meanings does “hacksaw” have?

“Hacksaw” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand saw with a thin, tensioned blade, used mainly for cutting metal.

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