noun
Common
nelson
NEHL-suhn
Nelson (noun) means a wrestling hold in which one arm is forced up behind the opponent's back. Example: “The coach showed the beginners how to escape from a nelson.”
noun
1
A wrestling hold in which one arm is forced up behind the opponent's back.
"The coach showed the beginners how to escape from a nelson."
"In the final round, the wrestler was caught in a painful nelson and gave up."
"He locked in a full nelson to pin his opponent."
How to use nelson
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wrestling arm-lock move; also a common surname and given name.
Common pairings
full nelson
half nelson
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Word forms
- Plural
- nelsons
Fill the gap
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The coach showed the beginners how to escape from a _____.
Etymology
The wrestling hold name is a back-formation from "full nelson"; the origin of that term itself is uncertain.
Rhymes for nelson
See all rhymes for nelson →Frequently asked questions
What does “nelson” mean?
The word “nelson” means a wrestling hold in which one arm is forced up behind the opponent's back. In plain terms, a wrestling arm-lock move; also a common surname and given name.
How do you pronounce “nelson”?
“Nelson” is pronounced NEHL-suhn (/ˈnɛlsən/ in IPA).
How do you use “nelson” in a sentence?
Here is “nelson” used in a sentence: “He locked in a full nelson to pin his opponent.”
What part of speech is “nelson”?
“Nelson” is a noun.
Is “nelson” a common word?
“Nelson” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is "nelson" capitalized when it means the wrestling hold?
No. As the name of a wrestling hold, nelson is a common noun and is written in lowercase. It is capitalized only when used as the surname or given name Nelson.
What is the difference between a "half nelson" and a "full nelson"?
A half nelson applies the hold using one arm, while a full nelson uses both arms. Both are variations of the nelson, a wrestling hold that controls the opponent by forcing an arm into a locked position.
Is "nelson" only used in wrestling?
The hold itself comes from wrestling, but phrases like "half nelson" are also used figuratively to describe having someone in a tight grip or a difficult, controlled position.
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