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1[countable] one of the parts of the body of a bird, insect, or bat that it uses for flying The swan flapped its wings noisily. wing feathers
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of plane -
2[countable] one of the large, flat parts that stick out from the side of a plane and help to keep it in the air when it is flying
- 3[countable] one of the parts of a large building that sticks out from the main part the east wing the new wing of the hospital of organization
- 4[countable] one section of an organization that has a particular function or whose members share the same opinions synonym arm the radical wing of the party the political wing of the National Resistance Army see left wing, right wing in soccer/hockey
- 5[countable] = winger, left wing, right wing
- 6[countable] the far left or right side of the sports field He plays on the wing. in theater
- 7the wings [plural] the area at either side of the stage that cannot be seen by the audience She watched every performance from the wings. Idioms
of bird/insect
to restrict a person's freedom or power Having a new baby to take care of has clipped her wings.
to pass the exams that mean you are allowed to fly a plane
ready to take over a particular job or be used in a particular situation when needed A whole host of ambitious young managers were waiting in the wings.
(of a bird, insect, etc.) flying
with only a very slight chance of success
to become more independent and confident and try new activities, etc. Going to college gave her the chance to spread her wings.
to take care of and help someone who has less experience of something than you
(of a bird, insect, etc.) to fly away (figurative) Her imagination took wing.
Check pronunciation: wing