dart

UK: /ˈdɑː^rt/ US: /dɑrt/ ,(därt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dart /dɑrt/   n. 

1. a small, slender object pointed at one end and usually feathered at the other:
   [countable] A poisoned dart hit him in the neck.
2. Games darts, [noncount;
   used with a singular verb] a game in which darts are thrown at a target having a bull's-eye in the center:
   Darts is harder than it looks.
3. a sudden swift movement:
   [countable] The squirrel made a quick dart across the street.
4. Clothing a tapered seam of fabric for adjusting the fit of clothing:
   [countable] He adjusted the darts on the skirt.

v. 

5. [no obj] to move swiftly;
   spring suddenly;
   dash:
   The mice darted around the room.
6. [ ~ + obj] to move suddenly or rapidly:
   She darted a quick glance at me.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dart  (därt), n. 

1. a small, slender missile that is pointed at one end and usually feathered at the other and is propelled by hand, as in the game of darts, or by a blowgun when used as a weapon.
2. something similar in function to such a missile, as the stinging member of an insect.
3. Games darts, (used with a sing. v.) a game in which darts are thrown at a target usually marked with concentric circles divided into segments and with a bull's-eye in the center.
4. an act of darting;
   a sudden swift movement.
5. Clothing a tapered seam of fabric for adjusting the fit of a garment.

v.i. 

6. to move swiftly;
   spring or start suddenly and run swiftly:
   A mouse darted out of the closet and ran across the room.

v.t. 

7. to thrust or move suddenly or rapidly:
   He darted his eyes around the room.

• Old Low Franconian; compare Old English daroth, Old High German tart, Old Norse darrathr spear, lance
• Anglo-French, Old French
• Middle English 1275–1325

dart′ing•ly, adv. 
dart′ing•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. arrow, barb.
• 6. dash, bolt, shoot.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dart / dɑːt/ noun

1. a small narrow pointed missile that is thrown or shot, as in the game of darts
2. a sudden quick movement
3. a slender pointed structure, as in snails for aiding copulation or in nematodes for penetrating the host's tissues
4. a tapered tuck made in dressmaking

verb

1. to move or throw swiftly and suddenly; shoot

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French, of Germanic origin; related to Old English daroth spear, Old High German tart dart

ˈdarting adjective