Illustration of stick
- a lacrosse
- b ice hockey
- c field hockey
1
: a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: such as
a
: a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch
b
: a cut or broken branch or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material
2
a
: a long slender piece of wood or metal: such as
(1)
: a club or staff used as a weapon
(2)
b
: an implement used for striking or propelling an object in a game
c
: something used to force compliance
d
: a baton symbolizing an office or dignity
also
: a person entitled to bear such a baton
3
: a piece of the materials composing something (such as a building)
4
: any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: such as
a
b
: an airplane lever operating the elevators and ailerons
c
: the gearshift lever of an automobile
5
: something prepared (as by cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and slender often cylindrical form
a stick of candy
a stick of butter
7
sticks plural
: remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated : boondocks
8
: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick
celery sticks
9
: mast entry 1 sense 1
also
: yard entry 1 sense 4
10
: a piece of furniture
11
a
: a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing plane in a series across a target
b
: a number of parachutists dropping together
12
slang
: a marijuana cigarette
sticked; sticking; sticks
: to hit or propel (something, such as a hockey puck) with a stick
stuck
ˈstək 
; sticking
; sticking
1
a
: to pierce with something pointed : stab
b
: to kill by piercing
2
: to push or thrust so as or as if to pierce
4
: to put or set in a specified place or position
5
: to furnish with things fastened on by or as if by piercing
6
: to attach by or as if by causing to adhere to a surface
7
a
: to compel to pay especially by trickery
got stuck with the bar bill
b
9
10
: to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics
1
: to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:
a
: to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end
b
: to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing or plastering
stuck in the mud
2
a
: to remain in a place, situation, or environment
b
: to hold fast or adhere resolutely : cling
she stuck to her story
c
: to remain effective
d
: to keep close in a chase or competition
3
: to become blocked, wedged, or jammed
Synonyms
Examples of stick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
This robot lawn mower also has a sweeper kit that removes debris from your backyard, such as leaves, sticks, and waste.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2024
Last month, the model shared a couple of oceanside bikini snaps, and casually slipped in a shot of herself holding a blush stick and appearing to use it to touch up her signature strawberry glam.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Nearby, Cheung Shing Fans Factory sells incense sticks and essential oils (300 dollars per vial) and pricey sandalwood fans.
—Tiffany May, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
The four pieces of colored plastic -- red, white, green and black -- are held simply by white plastic sticks and a few strings.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2024
Now, this skin-enhancing and blurring foundation stick joins the fray, thanks to its flawless finish and range of shades.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Food prices run from $5 for bubble waffle sticks, $10 for mini pancakes and $12 for bubble waffles, with upcharges for toppings.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024
The Boston Bruins have been a measuring stick of sorts for the Florida Panthers all season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024
When a highwayman makes the mistake of trying to stick her up, a tiny golden spark — Billy — flies into her nose.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024
While the southernmost reaches of Texas draw birders in droves to discover rare species, those who prefer to stick closer to Austin city limits can find a world of opportunity across Bastrop.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Vang purchases the bánh mì at retail price, sticks them in a Calvin’s Market refrigerator and sells them for roughly double the price — that is, $6.25 instead of $3.25.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 28 Mar. 2024
There’s no guarantee that any — let alone all — of them will stick.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024
And Trevor likely will be the only one that sticks.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
After two games, the answer is H-E-double hockey sticks no.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2024
The traditional way of dealing with this is to stick all the critical components in a sealed titanium tube that can maintain ambient pressure and keep moisture out.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Or, as Gross notes, there’s always the option to pick up a stick at the trailhead.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
This robot lawn mower also has a sweeper kit that removes debris from your backyard, such as leaves, sticks, and waste.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2024
Last month, the model shared a couple of oceanside bikini snaps, and casually slipped in a shot of herself holding a blush stick and appearing to use it to touch up her signature strawberry glam.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Nearby, Cheung Shing Fans Factory sells incense sticks and essential oils (300 dollars per vial) and pricey sandalwood fans.
—Tiffany May, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
The four pieces of colored plastic -- red, white, green and black -- are held simply by white plastic sticks and a few strings.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2024
Now, this skin-enhancing and blurring foundation stick joins the fray, thanks to its flawless finish and range of shades.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Food prices run from $5 for bubble waffle sticks, $10 for mini pancakes and $12 for bubble waffles, with upcharges for toppings.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024
The Boston Bruins have been a measuring stick of sorts for the Florida Panthers all season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
Around 1906, there were attempts to rename the neighborhood Sutter’s Terrace, Burg said, but the title didn’t stick.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024
When a highwayman makes the mistake of trying to stick her up, a tiny golden spark — Billy — flies into her nose.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024
While the southernmost reaches of Texas draw birders in droves to discover rare species, those who prefer to stick closer to Austin city limits can find a world of opportunity across Bastrop.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Vang purchases the bánh mì at retail price, sticks them in a Calvin’s Market refrigerator and sells them for roughly double the price — that is, $6.25 instead of $3.25.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 28 Mar. 2024
There’s no guarantee that any — let alone all — of them will stick.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024
And Trevor likely will be the only one that sticks.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
After two games, the answer is H-E-double hockey sticks no.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2024
The traditional way of dealing with this is to stick all the critical components in a sealed titanium tube that can maintain ambient pressure and keep moisture out.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stick
Cite this Entry
“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stick. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stick
1 of 2 noun1
: a cut or broken branch of twig especially when dry and dead
2
: a long slender piece of wood or metal: as
a
: a club or staff used as a weapon
3
: something used for striking or moving an object in a game
4
: something like a stick in shape or use
a stick of dynamite
5
: something prepared in a long and slender form
carrot sticks
a stick of butter
6
: a person who is dull or lifeless
7
plural
: remote usually rural districts
way out in the sticks
stick
2 of 2 verb
stuck
ˈstək
; sticking
1
a
: to stab with something pointed : pierce
b
: to kill by piercing
2
: to cause to penetrate
stuck a needle in my finger
3
a
: to fasten by pushing in : attach
stuck a flower in my buttonhole
b
: to push out, up, or under
stuck out my hand
4
: to put or set in a specified place or position
stuck the cap on my head
5
: to cling to a surface
snowflakes stuck on the windowpane
6
a
: to bring to a halt : prevent the movement or action of
the car got stuck in traffic
b
: baffle entry 1 sense 1, stump
got stuck on the first problem
7
b
: to burden with something disagreeable
stuck with the job of cleaning up
8
: to become fixed in place by or as if by gluing
his foot stuck in the mud
9
a
: to remain in a place, situation, or environment
decided to stick where he was
b
: to hold to something tightly : cling
she stuck to her story
10
: to become blocked or jammed
the desk drawer always sticks
11
: to be unable to proceed (as through fear or conscience)
Etymology
Noun
Old English sticca
Verb
Old English stician
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share