axe

Other spellings

• ax

Pronunciation

• enPR: ăks
• IPA ^(key): /æks/
• SAMPA: /{ks/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular axe

Plural axes

1. (countable) An axe is a tool made from a short blade on a long handle. Axes are often used to cut wood.

Related words

• saw
• hatchet
• hammer

Verb

Plain form axe

Third-person singular axes

Past tense axed

Past participle axed

Present participle axing

1. (transitive) If you axe something, you chop it with an axe.
2. (transitive) If you axe something, you end or reduce it in a sudden or mean way.

   The government announced its plans to axe public spending.

   The broadcaster axed the series because far less people than expected watched it.

3. (transitive) If you axe someone, you fire a person from their job.

   He got axed in the last round of firings.