What does wedge mean?
A wedge is a solid object that is broad at one end and narrow at the other. As a noun, it may refer to a tool used to split wood, lift a load, or hold a door open, as well as to a thin triangular portion of food or another tapering object. The word also describes a narrow opening or a strategic position that gradually widens or narrows. As a verb, to wedge something is to force it into a confined space, secure it with a tapering piece, or make it become stuck. Wedge is useful because it is precise without being technical: it suggests a shape defined by a gradual taper and, when used verbally, often implies pressure, intrusion, or difficulty. The word is equally familiar in British and American English, with no major regional difference in its general meanings.
A thin, solid piece or tool that is broad at one end and narrow at the other, used for splitting, lifting, tightening, or fitting.
"He tapped the wedge deeper into the timber."
To force something into a narrow space, hold it securely, or cause it to become tightly lodged.
"The stone became wedged between the two rocks."
The plural is used for multiple wedge-shaped tools, pieces, or objects.
"The workers placed wooden wedges around the support beam."
The wedge helped humanity split wood and stone long before it became a shape for everything from pie slices to strategic breakthroughs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wedge come from?
The word descends from Old English wēcg, meaning a wedge, peg, or narrow strip, and ultimately from a Germanic root associated with a tapering or pointed object. The same broad root appears in related forms in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian languages, including Dutch wig and German Keil and Winkel. English developed both the concrete noun and the verb meaning to force or hold something in place.
Related word forms
How wedge is actually used
The noun is common in descriptions of solid, tapering objects and portions of food. The verb often conveys difficulty or compression: something is forced into a confined space or becomes stuck. The expression “wedge oneself into” can be neutral or suggest an aggressive attempt to gain position.
Easily confused with wedge
An edge is the outer boundary or sharp border of a surface, whereas a wedge is a separate tapering object or piece used to split, lift, or secure something.