a single wing

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   One wing only, rather than two or more, of a bird, insect, or aircraft.

   Grammar: Countable noun phrase; plural is 'single wings' but it is rare.

   Patterns

   • have a single wing
   • with a single wing
   • a single wing on each side

   The injured bird could still fly short distances with a single wing partly working.

   Engineers tested a model with a single wing to see how it handled strong winds.

   The museum displays a plane that was designed with a single wing instead of the usual pair.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   Used figuratively for support coming from only one side or group.

   Grammar: Usually in the pattern 'on a single wing', meaning with only one source of help.

   Patterns

   • rely on a single wing
   • support on a single wing

   The campaign cannot fly on a single wing; it needs volunteers from both regions.

   Depending on a single wing of the family for money made him anxious.

Common combinations

fly on a single wing

The team has been flying on a single wing since its best player left.

a single wing of the building

Only a single wing of the old hospital is still in use.

a single-wing design

The company is famous for its single-wing aircraft design.

balance on a single wing

The acrobat seemed to balance on a single wing of the glider.

Synonyms and how they differ

one wing

The plain, everyday way to say the same thing; 'a single wing' often stresses 'only one, not two'.

Opposites

Word family

single-winged adjective

Having only one wing or one main wing surface.

wing noun

The body part or structure used for flying.

Commonly confused: a single wing or left wing?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a single wing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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