1
a
: a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates
b
: a structure (such as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
2
: a slender usually pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in
nailed; nailing; nails
1
: to fasten with or as if with a nail
2
: to fix in steady attention
nailed his eye on the crack
4
a
: to hit or strike in a forceful manner : whack sense 1a
nailed the ball
nailed him on the head with a rock
b
: to put out (a runner) in baseball
5
: to perform or complete perfectly or impressively
nailed a jump shot
6
: to gain or win decisively
—often used with down
nail down their consent
7
: to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably
—often used with down
8
usually vulgar
: to copulate with
nailer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of nail in a Sentence
Noun
a hammer and some nails
I get my nails done at the beauty salon every other week.
a pair of nail clippers
Verb
Nail the picture to the wall.
All the doors were nailed shut.
He got nailed by his parents while trying to sneak out of the house.
He got nailed for not paying his taxes.
The FBI has nailed the hackers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
The front pocket has elastic straps to hold everything in place and organize everything from nail clippers to toothbrushes.
—Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2024
Nina Metz, chicagotribune.com, 20 June 2017
Marist coach Colleen Biebel also sent Garofalo, who was nailed at home on a perfect relay throw from Barrington shortstop Julia Kozar.
—Tony Baranek, Daily Southtown, 10 June 2017
See all Example Sentences for nail 
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Noun
Olympia coaxes that out of her thanks to a security video Matty obtained from the nail salon where Katya works, showing a woman with the same birthmark on her hand as Caruso’s speaking to a clearly distressed Katya.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
The front pocket has elastic straps to hold everything in place and organize everything from nail clippers to toothbrushes.
—Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
But so was the dialogue, and this is where Cerda really nails it.
—Nina Metz, chicagotribune.com, 20 June 2017
Marist coach Colleen Biebel also sent Garofalo, who was nailed at home on a perfect relay throw from Barrington shortstop Julia Kozar.
—Tony Baranek, Daily Southtown, 10 June 2017
See all Example Sentences for nail
Articles Related to nail
Dictionary Entries Near nail
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nail. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nail
1 of 2 noun1
: a horny covering at the end of the fingers and toes of human beings, apes, and monkeys
also
: a similar structure (as a claw) in other animals
2
: a slender usually pointed fastener with a head designed to be pounded in
nail
2 of 2 verb1
: to fasten with or as if with a nail
2
: catch entry 1 sense 1, trap
nail a thief
3
: to hit or strike in a forceful or accurate way
nailed the ball
4
: to complete successfully
nailed the dismount
5
: to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably
nail down all the details
nailer
noun
Medical Definition
nail
noun1
: a horny sheath of thickened and condensed epithelial stratum lucidum that grows out from a vascular matrix of dermis and protects the upper surface of the end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates and that is strictly homologous with the hoof or claw of other mammals from which it differs chiefly in shape and size
called also nail plate
2
: a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
3
: a rod (as of metal) used to fix the parts of a broken bone in normal relation
a medullary nail
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