Peg - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT peg /pɛg/ /pɛg/ IPA guide

Other forms: pegs; pegged; pegging

A peg is a bolt or pin that holds something in place or marks a location. When you use peg as a verb, it means to identify someone or something: "I pegged you as a word lover, the first time I laid eyes on you."

A coat rack might consist of a line of wooden pegs, and you might also secure a tent by driving metal pegs into the ground to hold it there. When you fasten or pierce something with a peg, you can say you peg it. Informally, if you peg a person, you make a judgment about them: "I'd peg him as a messy housekeeper based on the way his dorm room looks."

Definitions of peg

noun a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface synonyms: nog see moresee less types: golf tee, tee a short peg put into the ground to hold a golf ball off the ground tent peg a peg driven into the ground to hold a rope supporting a tent treenail, trenail, trunnel a wooden peg that is used to fasten timbers in shipbuilding; water causes the peg to swell and hold the timbers fast type of: pin a small slender (often pointed) piece of wood or metal used to support or fasten or attach things
noun small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations etc. synonyms: pin see moresee less type of: insignia, mark, marker, marking a distinguishing symbol
noun regulator that can be turned to regulate the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument see moresee less type of: regulator any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
noun a holder attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing synonyms: oarlock, pin, rowlock, thole, tholepin see moresee less type of: holder a holding device
verb pierce with a wooden pin or knock or thrust a wooden pin into see moresee less type of: pierce, thrust penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument
verb fasten or secure with a wooden pin “peg a tent” synonyms: peg down see moresee less type of: attach cause to be attached
noun informal terms for the leg synonyms: pin, stick see moresee less type of: leg a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
noun a prosthesis that replaces a missing leg synonyms: leg, pegleg, wooden leg see moresee less type of: prosthesis, prosthetic device corrective consisting of a replacement for a part of the body
verb succeed in obtaining a position synonyms: nail, nail down see moresee less type of: bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win attain success or reach a desired goal
verb stabilize (the price of a commodity or an exchange rate) by legislation or market operations “The weak currency was pegged to the US Dollar” see moresee less type of: stabilise, stabilize make stable and keep from fluctuating or put into an equilibrium

Pronunciation US /pɛg/ UK /pɛg/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘peg'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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