noun Uncommon

sledge

slehj

Sledge (noun) means a heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer. Example: “He swung the sledge into the old wall until the bricks gave way.”

noun

A heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer.

"He swung the sledge into the old wall until the bricks gave way."

A low, heavy sled typically pulled by animals over snow or ice.

"The sledge crossed the frozen lake loaded with firewood."

verb

(cricket, informal) To taunt or verbally needle an opposing player to put them off their game.

"The bowler tried to sledge the batsman between deliveries, muttering insults just loud enough to hear."

How to use sledge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a big hammer, a heavy animal-drawn sled, or (in cricket) trash-talking an opponent.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "sled" — a sledge is generally heavier and, in Commonwealth English, often just means a sled; "sledging" as trash-talk is a cricket-specific slang meaning.

Easily confused with

sled → sledgehammer →

Word forms

sledged past tense, sledged past tense, sledged past tense, sledges plural, sledges plural, sledges plural, sledges singular, sledges singular, sledges singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He swung the _____ into the old wall until the bricks gave way.

Etymology

From Old English sleċġ, "mallet, hammer" — the same Germanic root gave Dutch and Swedish words for a heavy hammer.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

View more →

sled maul sleigh sledgehammer

Related words

sled maul sledgehammer sleigh malle mangle

Rhymes for sledge

edge wedge hedge ledge pledge dredge Rutledge knowledge acknowledge

See all rhymes for sledge →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sledge” mean?

The word “sledge” means a heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer. In plain terms, either a big hammer, a heavy animal-drawn sled, or (in cricket) trash-talking an opponent.

How do you pronounce “sledge”?

“Sledge” is pronounced slehj (/slɛd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “sledge” in a sentence?

Here is “sledge” used in a sentence: “He swung the sledge into the old wall until the bricks gave way.”

What part of speech is “sledge”?

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

Where does the word “sledge” come from?

The word “sledge” comes from Old English. From Old English sleċġ, "mallet, hammer" — the same Germanic root gave Dutch and Swedish words for a heavy hammer.

Is “sledge” a common word?

“Sledge” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “sledge” have?

“Sledge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer.

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sled maul sledgehammer sleigh malle mangle