<p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to pierce or wound with or as if with a pointed weapon: She stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork.</li><li>to thrust, plunge, or jab (a knife, pointed weapon, or the like) into something: He stabbed the knife into the man's chest.</li><li>to penetrate sharply or painfully: Their misery stabbed his conscience.</li><li>to make a piercing, thrusting, or pointing motion at or in: He stabbed me in the chest with his finger. The speaker stabbed the air in anger.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to thrust with or as if with a knife or other pointed weapon: to stab at an attacker.</li><li>to deliver a wound, as with a pointed weapon.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the act of stabbing.</li><li>a thrust or blow with, or as if with, a pointed weapon.</li><li>an attempt; try: Make a stab at an answer before giving up.</li><li>a wound made by stabbing.</li><li>a sudden, brief, and usually painful sensation: He felt a stab of pain in his foot. A stab of pity ran through her.</li></ul>