Meaning of the word flail in English

What does flail mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

flail

US /fleɪl/
UK /fleɪl/

Verb

1.

to wave or swing wildly

Example:
The injured bird began to flail its wings desperately.
He was flailing his arms around, trying to get attention.
2.

to beat or strike with a flail

Example:
In ancient times, farmers would flail grain to separate it from the husks.
He used a stick to flail at the tall weeds.

Noun

a threshing tool consisting of a wooden handle with a free-swinging stick attached to its end, used for beating grain

Example:
The farmer used a traditional flail to separate the wheat from the chaff.
The museum displayed an old farming flail.