lugged; lugging
2
: to carry laboriously
lugged the bags to the car
3
: to introduce in a forced manner
lugs my name into the argument
1
: to pull with effort : tug
2
: to move heavily or by jerks
the car lugs on hills
3
of a racehorse
: to swerve from the course toward or away from the inside rail
1
archaic
a
: an act of lugging
b
: something that is lugged
c
: a shipping container for produce
2
: lugsail
3
lugs plural
: superior airs or affectations
put on lugs
4
slang
: an exaction of money
—used in the phrase put the lug on
1
: something (such as a handle) that projects like an ear: such as
a
: a leather loop on a harness saddle through which the shaft passes
b
: a metal fitting to which electrical wires are soldered or connected
2
chiefly British
: ear
3
: a ridge (as on the bottom of a shoe) to increase traction
4
: a nut used to secure a wheel on an automotive vehicle
called also lug nut
5
a
: a big clumsy fellow
b
: an ordinary commonplace person
Synonyms
Examples of lug in a Sentence
Verb
She had to lug her suitcases out to the car by herself.
I was lugging a heavy camera around all day.
Noun (2)
get off of my feet, you big lug!
the billionaire industrialist was totally clueless about the concerns of the blue-collar lugs that worked for him
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeffrey Gettleman Emile Ducke, New York Times, 11 May 2024
Others lugged tubs stuffed with blankets, sleeping bags and first-aid kits.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Sierra Leone lugged in and bumped Forever Young three times in the stretch, but jockey Ryusei Sakai didn't claim foul.
— Alex Sundby contributed reporting.
—CBS News, 4 May 2024
There is no worse feeling at the end of a perfect beach day than having to lug a heavy, sandy, soggy beach towel back to your car.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2024
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation makes up about 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and about a quarter of that comes from the medium and heavy duty trucks that drive industry and lug freight across the country.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2024
To our friends lugging around larger laptops at 16 or 17 inches, this backpack is for you.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
In late January, paparazzi photos of Mr. Cera lugging giant bags of CeraVe around New York City appeared in Page Six and People magazine.
—Rachel Strugatz, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
If it can be stabilized, tugboats can possibly lug the ship to shore.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 3 May 2024
This seasoned aid leader lugs sandbags to help secure the sides of the tent.
—Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024
Finally, De Bethune’s floating lugs pivot from the mid case, making this one of the most comfortable large watches ever designed.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The funky lug sole is a stylish accent when worn with wide-leg trousers or cropped jeans, and also adds a subtle boost of height without the pain of heels.
—Jennifer Chan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
That’s also because the movie has a quasi-magical force for good in the lovable lug who comes on like a loose cannon, threatening disaster at every turn, but somehow, with guilelessness and honesty, always manages to emerge smelling like roses.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
The heavy lug sole offers some traction and stability on slippery or snowy surfaces.
—Calin Van Paris, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024
Luxury electric cars with extended range lug around lots of heavy batteries.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024
What to Consider The four-millimeter lugs slow runners down on smooth surfaces.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2024
Verb
An older couple grumbled at each other about who was going to lug their heavy bag.
—Jeffrey Gettleman Emile Ducke, New York Times, 11 May 2024
Others lugged tubs stuffed with blankets, sleeping bags and first-aid kits.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Sierra Leone lugged in and bumped Forever Young three times in the stretch, but jockey Ryusei Sakai didn't claim foul.
— Alex Sundby contributed reporting.
—CBS News, 4 May 2024
There is no worse feeling at the end of a perfect beach day than having to lug a heavy, sandy, soggy beach towel back to your car.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2024
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation makes up about 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and about a quarter of that comes from the medium and heavy duty trucks that drive industry and lug freight across the country.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2024
To our friends lugging around larger laptops at 16 or 17 inches, this backpack is for you.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
In late January, paparazzi photos of Mr. Cera lugging giant bags of CeraVe around New York City appeared in Page Six and People magazine.
—Rachel Strugatz, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
If it can be stabilized, tugboats can possibly lug the ship to shore.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
But what people overlook is that the Calatrava was the first round wristwatch with lugs cut from a single piece of metal (lugs had previously been welded onto round cases).
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 3 May 2024
This seasoned aid leader lugs sandbags to help secure the sides of the tent.
—Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024
Finally, De Bethune’s floating lugs pivot from the mid case, making this one of the most comfortable large watches ever designed.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The funky lug sole is a stylish accent when worn with wide-leg trousers or cropped jeans, and also adds a subtle boost of height without the pain of heels.
—Jennifer Chan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
That’s also because the movie has a quasi-magical force for good in the lovable lug who comes on like a loose cannon, threatening disaster at every turn, but somehow, with guilelessness and honesty, always manages to emerge smelling like roses.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
The heavy lug sole offers some traction and stability on slippery or snowy surfaces.
—Calin Van Paris, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024
Luxury electric cars with extended range lug around lots of heavy batteries.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024
What to Consider The four-millimeter lugs slow runners down on smooth surfaces.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lug
Cite this Entry
“Lug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lug. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lug
2 of 2 noun1
: a part (as a handle) that projects like an ear
2
: a nut used to hold a wheel on an automotive vehicle
3
a
: a big clumsy fellow
b
: an ordinary commonplace person
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