jab

8 definitions • 12 examples

to push or hit something forcefully and quickly, often with a thin or sharp object:

The doctor jabbed the needle into the dog's leg.

Watch out! You nearly jabbed me in the eye with your umbrella!

He was jabbing a finger at (= towards) them and shouting angrily.

to use a needle and syringe (= small tube) to put a liquid such as a drug into a person's body:

By the end of May, we will have jabbed more than 10,000 people.

Thanks to the good folk at Queens Medical Centre for jabbing me.

to make quick forceful hits with your fist (= closed hand) when boxing

to kick a ball hard and quickly:

He jabbed the ball into the net in the final minute of the game.

a quick hard push or hit:

She gave me a sharp jab in the ribs with her elbow to stop me from saying any more.

The boxer was floored by a punishing left jab.

a flu jab

You'll need some jabs if you're going to Egypt.

to push at something hard and quickly with a finger or a thin, pointed object:

[ T ] I jabbed my finger on the needle.

[ I ] He jabbed at his food with his fork.

To jab is also to hit someone hard and quickly with a tightly closed hand.