buckler

1 of 2

noun

buck·ler ˈbə-klər

Synonyms of buckler

: a small round shield held by a handle at arm's length

: a shield worn on the left arm

: one that shields and protects

buckler

2 of 2

verb

bucklered; bucklering; bucklers

transitive verb

: to shield or defend with a buckler

Examples of buckler in a Sentence

Noun a strong and free press is our best buckler against tyranny

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Noun

Hurling a few 12-to-6 knee-bucklers can thwart the opponent’s smooth rhythm. — Jim Root, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Golden shield fern, broad buckler fern, basket fern, hart's tongue fern, soft-shield fern, evergreen maidenhair, and more. — Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 17 Feb. 2023 So the film pays bemused tribute not only to one of Disneyland’s most popular rides but those old swash-bucklers who once graced movie screens. — Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 May 2017

Verb

As Mark Antony vamped, hoping for solitude, Cassius hissed with rage, straddled Caesar’s corpse, tore off his own velvet cape, dropped his sword and buckler down a set of stairs, and raged off into the wings. — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bocler, from Anglo-French bucler, from bocle

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of buckler was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Buckler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buckler. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

buckler

noun

buck·ler

ˈbək-lər

: a small round shield worn on the arm

buckler

noun

verb

Synonyms of buckler

Examples of buckler in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

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