Definition Definition

tug - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'tug' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Tug [ n.]
- A pull with the utmost effort, as in the athletic contest called tug of war; a supreme effort.
- A sort of vehicle, used for conveying timber and heavy articles.
- A small, powerful steamboat used to tow vessels; -- called also steam tug, tugboat, and towboat.
- A trace, or drawing strap, of a harness.
- An iron hook of a hoisting tub, to which a tackle is affixed.
2 . Tug [ v. i.]
- To pull with great effort; to strain in labor; as, to tug at the oar; to tug against the stream.
- To labor; to strive; to struggle.
3 . Tug [ v. t.]
- To pull or draw with great effort; to draw along with continued exertion; to haul along; to tow; as, to tug a loaded cart; to tug a ship into port.
- To pull; to pluck.

Meaning of 'tug' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . tug [ v]
Meaning (1):
- pull or strain hard at
Example in sentence:
  • Each oar was tugged by several men
Meaning (2):
- strive and make an effort to reach a goal
Example in sentence:
  • She is driving away at her doctoral thesis;
  • She tugged for years to make a decent living;
  • We have to push a little to make the deadline!
Meaning (3):
- struggle in opposition
Example in sentence:
  • She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts
Meaning (4):
- move by pulling hard
Example in sentence:
  • The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud
Meaning (5):
- pull hard
Example in sentence:
  • The prisoner tugged at the chains;
  • This movie tugs at the heart strings
Meaning (6):
- tow (a vessel) with a tug
Example in sentence:
  • The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor
Meaning (7):
- carry with difficulty
Example in sentence:
  • You'll have to lug this suitcase