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Definition of hacksaw
hacksaw
/ˈhæk.sɔː/
hack · saw
Plural:hacksaws
•Past Simple:hacksawed
•Past Participle:hacksawed
•Present Participle:hacksawing
hacksaw Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
hacksaw Game Scores & Validity
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A fine-toothed hand tool with a blade held under tension in a C-shaped frame, primarily used for cutting through hard materials such as metal, plastic, or bone.
Example
"The plumber used a hacksaw to cleanly cut the copper pipe to the correct length."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for hacksaw• verb
1
To cut or sever something using a fine-toothed hand saw.
Example
"The thieves successfully hacksawed through the heavy padlock and entered the warehouse."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for hacksaw• Rhymes for hacksaw
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'hack' and 'saw', referring to a saw strong enough to 'hack' through tough materials like metal and bone.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hacksaw. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hacksaw