Illustration of atlatl
- A atlatl
atlatl
noun
at·latl
ˈät-ˌlä-tᵊl 
: a device for throwing a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with a projection (such as a hook) at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until released
Examples of atlatl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the atlatl’s effectiveness decreases as the height increases.
—
ArsTechnica, 19 Mar. 2026
Other than the knife and a wooden artifact found in a pack rat’s nest, thought to be the shaft of an atlatl dart-throwing tool, no human artifacts or remains were ever found there.
—Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
In addition to the atlatl, the archaeologists also found a fragment of a boomerang, long wooden tips that might have been used to deliver poison to prey, and wooden darts and stone tips.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Although throws made with the atlatl are faster, the javelin has more kinetic energy because of its higher mass.
—Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
At this year’s gathering, participants were taught how to use the atlatl, a spear-throwing hunting tool that predates the bow and arrow.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
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ArsTechnica, 19 Mar. 2026
Other than the knife and a wooden artifact found in a pack rat’s nest, thought to be the shaft of an atlatl dart-throwing tool, no human artifacts or remains were ever found there.
—Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
In addition to the atlatl, the archaeologists also found a fragment of a boomerang, long wooden tips that might have been used to deliver poison to prey, and wooden darts and stone tips.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Although throws made with the atlatl are faster, the javelin has more kinetic energy because of its higher mass.
—Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
At this year’s gathering, participants were taught how to use the atlatl, a spear-throwing hunting tool that predates the bow and arrow.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Atlatl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atlatl. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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