Saw - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT saw /sɔ/ /sɔ/ IPA guide

Other forms: saws; sawed; sawing; sawn

A saw is a tool that's used to cut wood. It can be a hand tool or a power tool, and it usually has either a blade or a disk with a jagged cutting edge.

The verb saw means to cut through wood or another material using a saw or other tool. If you are going to build a bookcase, you have to saw the wood into the proper lengths. It's a good idea to measure it twice so you only have to saw it once. When you're faced with a tough piece of meat, you might have to saw at it just to cut off a bite.

Definitions of saw

noun hand tool having a toothed blade for cutting see moresee less types: show 15 types... hide 15 types... bill, billhook a long-handled saw with a curved blade bucksaw a saw that is set in a frame in the shape of an H; used with both hands to cut wood that is held in a sawbuck crown saw a saw having teeth around the edge of a hollow cylinder folding saw a saw with a toothed blade that folds into a handle (the way a pocketknife folds) hack saw, hacksaw, metal saw saw used with one hand for cutting metal carpenter's saw, hand saw, handsaw a saw used with one hand for cutting wood lumberman's saw, two-handed saw, two-man saw, whipsaw a saw with handles at both ends; intended for use by two people back saw, backsaw a handsaw that is stiffened by metal reinforcement along the upper edge compass saw a handsaw with a narrow triangular blade for cutting curves coping saw a handsaw with a taut thin blade; used for cutting small curves in wood crosscut handsaw, crosscut saw, cutoff saw handsaw that cuts at right angles to the grain (or major axis) keyhole saw a handsaw with a long narrow blade for cutting short radius curves; similar to a compass saw pitsaw a large two-handed saw formerly used to cut logs into planks; one man stood above the log and the other in a pit below pruning saw a handsaw used for pruning trees ripsaw, splitsaw a handsaw for cutting with the grain of the wood type of: hand tool a tool used with workers' hands
noun a power tool for cutting wood synonyms: power saw, sawing machine see moresee less types: show 9 types... hide 9 types... band saw, bandsaw an endless saw consisting of a toothed metal band that is driven around two wheels chain saw, chainsaw portable power saw; teeth linked to form an endless chain buzz saw, circular saw a power saw that has a steel disk with cutting teeth on the periphery; rotates on a spindle gangsaw a power saw that has several parallel blades making simultaneous cuts fretsaw, jigsaw, scroll saw fine-toothed power saw with a narrow blade; used to cut curved outlines jigsaw, reciprocating saw, saber saw a portable power saw with a reciprocating blade; can be used with a variety of blades depending on the application and kind of cut; generally have a plate that rides on the surface that is being cut sawmill a large sawing machine portable circular saw, portable saw a circular saw that is portable and is operated with a hand grip table saw a circular saw mounted under a table or bench so that the blade of the saw projects up through a slot type of: power tool a tool driven by a motor
verb cut with a saw “saw wood for the fireplace” see moresee less types: whipsaw saw with a whipsaw type of: cut separate with or as if with an instrument
noun a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people synonyms: adage, byword, proverb see moresee less type of: expression, locution, saying a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

Pronunciation US /sɔ/ UK /sɔ/ 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 ‘saw'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing saw

"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 1

As you read Act 1 of William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Hamlet," learn this word list. Here are links to lists for texts in Grade 12's Collection 4: Hamlet, Act 1, Hamlet, Act 2, Hamlet, Act 3, Hamlet, Act 4, Hamlet, Act 5, Hamlet's Dull Revenge, Tell Them Not to Kill Me!, Blocking the Transmission of Violence, Hatred

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