vise
Vise (noun) means a tool with two jaws tightened by a screw or lever, used to hold an object firmly in place while it is worked on. Example: “He clamped the wood in a vise before sawing it.”
How to use vise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA clamping tool used in workshops, or, figuratively, a tight, restrictive situation.
This is the American spelling; British English usually spells it "vice" for the tool.
Word forms
vised past tense, vises plural, Vises plural, vises singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He clamped the wood in a _____ before sawing it.
Etymology
From Old French vis, "screw," ultimately from Latin vitis, "vine" — likely referencing the spiral shape of a screw thread.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for vise
See all rhymes for vise →Frequently asked questions
What does “vise” mean?
The word “vise” means a tool with two jaws tightened by a screw or lever, used to hold an object firmly in place while it is worked on. In plain terms, a clamping tool used in workshops, or, figuratively, a tight, restrictive situation.
How do you pronounce “vise”?
“Vise” is pronounced vys (/vaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “vise” in a sentence?
Here is “vise” used in a sentence: “He clamped the wood in a vise before sawing it.”
What part of speech is “vise”?
“Vise” is a noun.
Where does the word “vise” come from?
The word “vise” comes from Latin. From Old French vis, "screw," ultimately from Latin vitis, "vine" — likely referencing the spiral shape of a screw thread.
How many meanings does “vise” have?
“Vise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tool with two jaws tightened by a screw or lever, used to hold an object firmly in place while it is worked on.