lash

1 of 3

verb (1)

lashed; lashing; lashes

intransitive verb

1
: to move violently or suddenly : dash
2
: to thrash or beat violently
rain lashed at the windowpanes
3
: to make a verbal attack or retort
usually used with out

transitive verb

1
a
: to whip or fling about violently
the big cat lashed its tail about threateningly
b
: to strike or beat with or as if with a whip
waves lashed the shore
2
a
: to assail with stinging words
b
: drive, whip
lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech

lash

2 of 3

noun

1
a(1)
: a stroke with or as if with a whip
(2)
: the flexible part of a whip
also : whip
b
: punishment by whipping
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3
: a stinging rebuke
4
5
: the clearance or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts

lash

3 of 3

verb (2)

lashed; lashing; lashes

transitive verb

: to bind with or as if with a line

Examples of lash in a Sentence

Noun They gave the sailor 50 lashes for disobeying orders. The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Within an hour after the verdict was announced, the parents of the four students who died in the shooting lashed out at the school, stressing that Oxford High School officials should be held accountable for the series of events that led to the deaths of their children. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 As a strong, cold weather system moves south across the Great Basin, much of California will be lashed by gusty, dangerous winds that are likely to down trees and knock out power. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 After surviving violent traumas in her childhood, Ms. Glass lashed out against the world. Allen Arthur, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 For his part, Mr. Trump has lashed out at Mr. Bragg, a Democrat, accusing him of persecuting Mr. Weisselberg. Kate Christobek, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Chief Critic Navalny’s team has lashed out at Russian authorities, accusing them of hiding the deceased opposition leader’s body. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Pregnancy can be an extremely stressful experience, and people who don’t take the time and effort to decode their internal feelings and seek ways to behave well tend to behave poorly, lashing out instead of coping with their own vulnerability. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 Some of these smaller-scale pattern variations have been visible in the way the storms lashed California's coast and layered mountains there in feet of snow but delivered weaker storms to Arizona. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 21 Feb. 2024 Still, some fans are lashing out at Fanatics for its growing control over the sports merchandise market, the quality of some of its merchandise and high prices. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
From Sharon Stone’s timeless red lips and Liza Minelli’s fluttery lashes to Cindy Crawford’s beachy waves and Drew Barrymore’s ’90s oxblood lip–here, Vogue charts 19 of the best vintage Oscars beauty looks worth reminiscing on. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2024 Simply color-blocking two vibrant shadows — either stacked on lids or by adding a second pigment along the lower lash line — makes a statement. Paige Stables, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 The clump-free formula gets a boost from the innovative brush, which has short bristles at the tip to coat every last lash and longer bristles at the base to fan out your fringe. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 Even Cosmetologists approve of the gentle comb for detangling delicate lash extensions. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024 It’s helped grow the bare spots in my eyebrows and lengthened my lashes. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 Developed by optometrists, this tea tree oil cleanser washes away bacteria, oils, and crusts that form along your lash line and helps ease itching and inflammation. Sherri Gordon, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024 Abu Issa dips an applicator moistened with olive oil into the pot to gather the pigment, then smoothly drags it along her lash lines, darkening her eyes. Zahra Hankir, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 And there's a lot to unpack with this creative cosmetic moment, like glossy lips, intensely rosy cheeks, graphic liner, and false lashes with a bold balance. Marci Robin, Allure, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English

Verb (2)

Middle English lasschyn to lace, from Anglo-French lacer, lasser — more at lace

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (2)

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lash was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lash

Cite this Entry

“Lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lash. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lash

1 of 3 verb
1
: to move violently or suddenly
2
: to strike with or as if with a whip
3
: to attack with strong language
usually used with out
lashed out at his sister

lash

2 of 3 noun
1
a
: a stroke with a whip or switch
b
: the flexible part of a whip
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3

lash

3 of 3 verb
: to tie down with a rope, cord, or chain
lasher noun
Etymology

Verb

Middle English lassen "to move violently or suddenly"

Verb

Middle English lasschen "to lace," from early French lacer (same meaning), derived from Latin laqueare "to snare, catch in a noose," from laqueus "noose, snare" — related to lace, lasso entry 1 see Word History at lace

Medical Definition

lash

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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