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Definition of tug noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tug

noun
 
/tʌɡ/
 
/tʌɡ/
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  1. (also tugboat
     
    /ˈtʌɡbəʊt/
     
    /ˈtʌɡbəʊt/
    )
     a small powerful boat for pulling ships, especially into a harbour or up a riverTopics Transport by waterc2
  2. a sudden, hard pull
    • I felt a tug at my sleeve.
    • She gave her sister's hair a sharp tug.
    Extra Examples
    • She started the engine with one tug of the starter rope.
    • I felt a little tug on my arm.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • good
    • hard
    • sharp
    • …
    verb + tug
    • give (something)
    • feel
    preposition
    • with a tug
    • tug at
    • tug on
    • …
    See full entry
  3. [usually singular] a sudden, strong emotional feeling
    • a tug of attraction
    4. Word OriginMiddle English: from the base of tow.
See tug in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: tug

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