the wire

noun

US
: a thin piece of string that the winner of a race breaks through at the end of the race
The marathon ended in a sprint to the wire by the two top runners.
—often used figuratively
The election went/came (right) down to the wire.

Examples of the wire in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Raw animal meats were not stored according to their type on the wire shelves, which posed a risk for cross-contamination, according to the inspector. — Joseph Hernandez august 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026 But the competition came down to the wire in Mora’s first three years as Ta’Quan Roberson ultimately won the job over freshman Zion Turner in 2022, then Fagnano won it over Roberson in 2023 before losing it to Nick Evers in 2024. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 Lengthening his stride inside the sixteenth pole while looking a determined Napoleon Solo in the eye, this son of Gun Runner surged and in the shadow of the wire there was a Change in who was Leading. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Icelanders are to vote August 29, 2026 on whether to resume entry talks with the European Union 13 years after they were suspended, in a referendum seen going down to the wire. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the wire

Rhymes for the wire

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Browse Nearby Words

the willies
the wire
the wit
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Cite this Entry

“The wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20wire. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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