spank

1 of 3

verb (1)

spanked; spanking; spanks

transitive verb

: to strike especially on the buttocks with the open hand

spank

2 of 3

noun

plural spanks
: an act of spanking : a sharp slap or blow to the buttocks usually with the palm of the hand

spank

3 of 3

verb (2)

spanked; spanking; spanks

intransitive verb

: to move quickly, dashingly, or spiritedly
spanking along in his new car

Examples of spank in a Sentence

Noun gave him a spank on the bottom

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

imitative

Verb (2)

back-formation from spanking

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1712, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1785, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spank was circa 1712

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spank. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

spank

verb
ˈspaŋk
: to strike on the buttocks with the open hand
spank noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spank

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!