wing (w?ng)n.1. a. One of a pair of movable appendages used for flying, as the feather-covered modified forelimb of a bird or the skin-covered modified forelimb of a bat or pterosaur.b. One of the one or two pairs of membranous structures used for flying that extend from the thorax of an insect.c. A structure or part used by an animal for gliding through the air, as the folds of skin of a flying squirrel or the enlarged pectoral fins of a flying fish.d. wings An outspread pair of stylized bird’s wings worn as insignia by qualified pilots or air crew members.2. An airfoil whose principal function is providing lift, especially either of two such airfoils symmetrically positioned on each side of the fuselage of an aircraft.3. Botany a. A thin or membranous extension, as of the fruit of a maple or ash, the seed of a pine, or the branches of a winged elm.b. One of the lateral petals of the flower of certain plants in the pea family, such as the sweet pea.4. Something that resembles a wing in appearance or function, especially:a. The vane of a weathervane.b. The sail of a ship.c. A folding section, as of a double door or of a movable partition.d. Either of the two side projections on the back of a wing chair.e. A flat of theatrical scenery projecting onto the stage from the side.f. Chiefly British The fender of a motor vehicle.5. a. A structure that forms an extended part of or is attached to a main structure: the east wing of the school; the children’s wing of the hospital.b. Either of the unseen backstage areas on the sides of the stage of a proscenium theater.6. a. The act or manner of flying.b. A means of flight or rapid movement: Fear lent wings to his feet.7. a. A group affiliated with or subordinate to an older or larger organization.b. Either of two groups with opposing views within a larger group; a faction.c. A section of a party, legislature, or community holding distinct, especially dissenting, political views: the conservative wing.8. a. Either the left or right flank of an army or a naval fleet.b. An air force unit larger than a group but smaller than a numbered air force or, formerly, than a division.9. Sports a. Either of the forward positions near the sides of the playing area, especially in hockey.b. A player who plays this position.v. winged, wing·ing, wings v.intr. To move swiftly through the air or on wings: birds winging south for the winter.v.tr.1. a. To pass over or through with wings: birds winging the air.b. To make (one’s way) through the air or on wings: birds winging their way north.c. To carry or transport by flying: The plane winged the troops back home.2. a. To furnish with wings: a mythological horse that is winged.b. To feather (an arrow).3. To throw or propel (a ball, for example) through the air.4. To strike or wound in a wing or an appendage: winged me with a snowball.5. To furnish with side or subordinate extensions, as a building or an altarpiece.6. To say or do (something) without preparation or forethought; improvise: decided to wing his remarks to reporters.Idioms: give wing to1. To provide the impetus for or enable (something): a mentor who gave wing to my career.2. To free from constraints or allow to operate freely: a poet who gave wing to her imagination. in the wings1. In the stage wings, unseen by the audience.2. Close by in the background; available at short notice: a presidential candidate waiting in the wings. on the wing In flight; flying. take wing1. To fly off; soar away.2. To make progress or have success, especially in a sudden or dramatic manner: when her career took wing. under (one’s) wing Under one’s protection; in one’s care. wing it Informal To improvise: I hadn’t prepared for the interview, so I had to wing it.[Middle English wenge, winge, of Scandinavian origin; see w?- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.wing (w??) n1. (Zoology) either of the modified forelimbs of a bird that are covered with large feathers and specialized for flight in most species2. (Zoology) one of the organs of flight of an insect, consisting of a membranous outgrowth from the thorax containing a network of veins3. (Zoology) either of the organs of flight in certain other animals, esp the forelimb of a bat4. (Aeronautics) a. a half of the main supporting surface on an aircraft, confined to one side of itb. the full span of the main supporting surface on both sides of an aircraftc. an aircraft designed as one complete wingd. a position in flight formation, just to the rear and to one side of an aircraft5. (Anatomy) a. an organ or apparatus resembling a wingb. anatomy any bodily structure resembling a wing: the wings of a sphenoid bone. Technical name: ala 6. anything suggesting a wing in form, function, or position, such as a sail of a windmill or a ship7. (Botany) botany a. either of the lateral petals of a sweetpea or related flowerb. any of various outgrowths of a plant part, esp the process on a wind-dispersed fruit or seed8. a means or cause of flight or rapid motion; flight: fear gave wings to his feet. 9. (Zoology) the act or manner of flying: a bird of strong wing. 10. (Automotive Engineering) Brit the part of a car body that surrounds the wheels. US and Canadian name: fender 11. (Commerce) any affiliate of or subsidiary to a parent organization12. (General Sporting Terms) sport a. either of the two sides of the pitch near the touchlineb. a player stationed in such a position; winger13. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a faction or group within a political party or other organization. See also left wing, right wing14. (Building) a part of a building that is subordinate to the main part15. (Theatre) (plural) the space offstage to the right or left of the acting area in a theatre16. in the wings ready to step in when needed17. (Fortifications) fortifications a side connecting the main fort and an outwork18. (Building) a folding panel, as of a double door or a movable partition19. (Furniture) either of the two pieces that project forwards from the sides of some chairbacks20. (Automotive Engineering) the US name for quarterlight21. (Motor Racing) a surface fitted to a racing car to produce aerodynamic download to hold it on the road at high speed22. (Aeronautics) (plural) an insignia in the form of stylized wings worn by a qualified aircraft pilot23. (Military) a tactical formation in some air forces, consisting of two or more squadrons24. (Zoology) any of various flattened organs or extensions in lower animals, esp when used in locomotion25. (Nautical Terms) the side of a hold alongside a ship’s hull26. (Agriculture) the outside angle of the cutting edge on the share and mouldboard of a plough27. (Civil Engineering) a jetty or dam for narrowing a channel of water28. on a wing and a prayer with only the slightest hope of succeeding29. on the wing a. flyingb. travellingc. about to leave30. take wing a. to lift off or fly awayb. to depart in hastec. to become joyful31. under one’s wing in one’s care or tutelage32. clip someone’s wings a. to restrict someone’s freedomb. to thwart someone’s ambition33. on wings flying or as if flying34. spread one’s wings stretch one’s wings to make full use of one’s abilitiesvb (mainly tr) 35. (also intr) to make (one’s way) swiftly on or as if on wings36. (Shooting) to shoot or wound (a bird, person, etc) superficially, in the wing or arm, etc37. (Pathology) to shoot or wound (a bird, person, etc) superficially, in the wing or arm, etc38. to cause to fly or move swiftly: to wing an arrow. 39. (Archery) to fit (an arrow) with a feather40. to provide with wings41. (Architecture) (of buildings, altars, etc) to provide with lateral extensions42. wing it informal to accomplish or perform something without full preparation or knowledge; improvise[C12: from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse v?ngir (plural), Norwegian veng] ?wing?like adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014wing (w??) n. 1. either of the two forelimbs of birds and some mammals, corresponding to the human arms, that are specialized for flight or may be rudimentary, as in flightless birds, and sometimes adapted for swimming, as in penguins. 2. one of the paired thin, lateral extensions of the body wall on the thorax of an insect, by means of which it flies. 3. a means or instrument of flight, travel, or progress. 4. the act or manner of flying. 5. any winglike part or extension, as the vane of a windmill, the feather of an arrow, or the ala of a bone. 6. a. one of a pair of airfoils attached transversely to the fuselage of an aircraft and providing lift. b. both airfoils, taken collectively. 7. a part of a building projecting on one side of, or subordinate to, a central or main part. 8. either of two forward extensions of the sides of the back of an easy chair. 9. either of the two side portions of an army or fleet; flank. 10. an administrative and tactical unit of the U.S. Air Force consisting of two or more groups, a headquarters, and various support units. 11. a faction within a political party or other organization, usu. at one extreme or the other: the liberal wing. 12. Sports. (in some team games) any one of the positions, or a player in such a position, on the far side of the center position, known as the left or right wing with reference to the direction of the opposite goal. 13. Theat. a. Usu., wings. the space at the right or left side of the playing area of a stage, ordinarily not seen by the audience. b. wing flat. 14. Bot. a. any leaflike expansion, as of a samara. b. one of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower. 15. wings, any of various insignia representing outspread wings and usu. signifying achievement, acceptance, etc., esp. the successful completion of flight training. 16. Slang. an arm of a human being. v.t. 17. to equip with wings or a winglike part or parts. 18. to lend speed or celerity to. 19. to transport on or as if on wings. 20. to perform or accomplish by wings or by flight. 21. to traverse in flight. 22. to wound or disable in the wing: to wing a bird. 23. to wound (a person) in an arm or other nonvital part. 24. to deliver with or by the arm; throw or lob: to wing a ball through a window. v.i. 25. to travel on or as if on wings; fly; soar. Idioms: 1. in the wings, a. in the concealed side area of a stage; offstage. b. ready to be called or put into action, as a person or thing intended to replace another. 2. on the wing, a. in flight, or flying: a bird on the wing. b. active; traveling. 3. take wing, to begin to fly; take to the air. 4. under one’s wing, under one’s protection, care, or patronage. 5. wing it, to engage in something with little or no preparation or experience; improvise. [1125?75; Middle English wenge (pl. n.)