tilted; tilting; tilts
1
: to cause to have an inclination
2
a
: to point or thrust in or as if in a tilt
tilt a lance
b
: to charge against
tilt an adversary
1
a
: to move or shift so as to lean or incline : slant
b
: to incline, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion, course of action, or one side of a controversy
2
a
: to engage in a combat with lances : joust
b
: to make an impetuous attack
tilt at social evils
tilter
noun
1
2
b
3
: any of various contests resembling or suggesting tilting with lances
tilt
adjective
: a canopy for a wagon, boat, or stall
Synonyms
Examples of tilt in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the robin tilts its head as it hunts for worms in the grass
Noun (1)
indicated her approval with a slight tilt of her head
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025
This is because the moon's orbit is tilted about five degrees relative to Earth's path around the sun, which means the sun, Earth and moon won't line up perfectly this time.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
The penalty tilt has been particularly sharp in the past 12 Kansas City postseason contests as Chiefs opponents have been hit by more yellow flags 11 times, with one tie.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tilt 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
During the March equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere receive roughly the same amount of sunlight since neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the sun, the almanac said.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025
This is because the moon's orbit is tilted about five degrees relative to Earth's path around the sun, which means the sun, Earth and moon won't line up perfectly this time.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
The infestation causes the tree’s fronds to droop and the crown to turn brown and collapse or tilt.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
The penalty tilt has been particularly sharp in the past 12 Kansas City postseason contests as Chiefs opponents have been hit by more yellow flags 11 times, with one tie.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tilt
Dictionary Entries Near tilt
Cite this Entry
“Tilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tilt. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tilt
2 of 2 noun1
: a contest on horseback in which two opponents charging with lances try to unhorse each other : joust
2
: a contest with words between opponents
3
: speed entry 1 sense 1b
at full tilt
4
: the act of tilting : the state or position of being tilted
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share