1
: an agricultural implement consisting of a curved metal blade with a short handle fitted on a tang
2
: the cutting mechanism (as of a reaper, combine, or mower) consisting of a bar with a series of cutting elements

Illustration of sickle

Illustration of sickle
  • sickle 1

sickle

2 of 3

adjective

: having the form of a sickle blade : having a curve similar to that of a sickle blade
the sickle moon

sickle

3 of 3

verb

transitive verb

1
: to mow or reap with a sickle
2
: to change (a red blood cell) into a sickle cell

intransitive verb

: to change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle

Examples of sickle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
So the method here is to co-opt the hysterical semiotics of alt-righters for sickle supremacy. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025 Like its raptor relatives, the dinosaur also featured a large, sickle-like claw on its second toe. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Adjective
So the method here is to co-opt the hysterical semiotics of alt-righters for sickle supremacy. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025 Excavations also uncovered an iron sickle, stone tool, bronze pendant, a pair of beads possibly made of amber and a whalebone tool, the museum said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Verb
The result is hemoglobin S—a misshapen version that causes red blood cells to sickle. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022 Exertional sickling deaths occur in athletes carrying the sickle cell trait. Jennifer Borresen, courier-journal.com, 18 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for sickle

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sikel, from Old English sicol, from Latin secula sickle, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1688, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickle was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

sickle

1 of 2 noun
: a tool with a sharp curved metal blade and a short handle used to cut grass

sickle

2 of 2 verb
sickled; sickling
ˈsik-(ə-)liŋ
: to change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle

Medical Definition

sickle

1 of 3 noun
: a dental scaler with a curved 3-sided point

sickle

2 of 3 adjective
: of, relating to, or characteristic of sickle cell anemia or sickle-cell trait
sickle hemoglobin

sickle

3 of 3 verb

transitive verb

: to change (a red blood cell) into a sickle cell

intransitive verb

: to undergo change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle

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