lugged; lugging
2
: to carry laboriously
lugged the bags to the car
3
: to introduce in a forced manner
lugs my name into the argument
1
: to pull with effort : tug
2
: to move heavily or by jerks
the car lugs on hills
3
of a racehorse
: to swerve from the course toward or away from the inside rail
1
archaic
a
: an act of lugging
b
: something that is lugged
c
: a shipping container for produce
2
: lugsail
3
lugs plural
: superior airs or affectations
put on lugs
4
slang
: an exaction of money
—used in the phrase put the lug on
plural lugs
1
: something (such as a handle) that projects like an ear: such as
a
: a leather loop on a harness saddle through which the shaft passes
b
: a metal fitting to which electrical wires are soldered or connected
2
chiefly British
: ear
3
: a ridge (as on the bottom of a shoe) to increase traction
4
usually lug nut
: a nut used to secure a wheel on an automotive vehicle
He knelt beside me, showed me where to place the jack … and how to loosen the lug nuts just enough before raising the car—otherwise the wheel spins with the torque of the wrench.—K. John Lee
When changing a tire, you should … tighten the lugs fully in a crisscross pattern. This way the wheel is tightened evenly to the hub.—John Paul
see also lug wrench
5
a
: a big clumsy fellow
b
: an ordinary commonplace person
Cite this Entry
“Lug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lug. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
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