wedge

The word “wedge” means a piece of material, thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge, used to split, tighten, or lever things apart. In plain terms, a tapered object used for splitting or jamming things apart, or figuratively something that drives two sides apart.

“Wedge” is pronounced wehj (/wɛd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

Here is “wedge” used in a sentence: “He hammered a wedge into the log to split it in two.”

Words with a similar meaning to “wedge” include turned v.

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

The word “wedge” comes from Old English. From Old English weċġ ("wedge"), from a Proto-Germanic root for the same shape of tool.

“Wedge” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Wedge” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of material, thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge, used to split, tighten, or lever things apart.

A wedge is a piece of material, thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge, used to split, tighten, or lever things apart. A chock is a similar tapered block, but it is specifically used to prevent something like a wheel from moving, making it a narrower use case within the broader idea of a wedge.

Used figuratively, a wedge is something that creates a division or growing gap between people or things, as in "the disagreement drove a wedge between the friends." This sense extends the physical idea of splitting apart to relationships or groups.

Yes, to wedge means to force something tightly into a narrow space, as in "she wedged the door open with a book." This verb use draws directly on the tapering shape of a physical wedge.