stylet

noun

sty·​let stī-ˈlet How to pronounce stylet (audio)
ˈstī-lət
1
a
: a slender surgical probe
b
: a thin wire inserted into a catheter to maintain rigidity or into a hollow needle to maintain patency
c
: a pointed instrument (as for graving)
2
: a relatively rigid elongated organ or appendage (such as a piercing mouthpart) of an animal
3

Examples of stylet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Then, the mosquito uses one stylet—the labrum—to prod around, seeking a blood vessel to pierce. John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023 Sulfur sprays and stylet oil fungicides will also reduce the spread of powdery mildew. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2023 The last stylet—the hypopharynx—drips mosquito saliva into the wound. John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023 In the ring-mating species, its walls are thick to prevent injury from the intruding stylet or the anchored sperm. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2011 The respiratory therapist pulled out my stylet, inflated the tip balloon through its small port at the top, attached an Ambu bag to the open mouth of the endotracheal tube and pushed in liters of oxygen. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2015 The stylet adapts to more easily pierce a partner’s skin, becoming sharper and reinforced. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2011 The procedure involves using a slender surgical probe known as a stylet to guide a tube down the woman's throat, according to Dr. Hudman Hoo, a pulmonologist and the medical director of St. Anthony's Hospital's ICU ward in St. Petersburg, Florida. Randi Kaye and Travis Caldwell, CNN, 11 Sep. 2021 It’s on the end of this stylet that receptors AsOr8 and AaOr49 are located. Popular Science, 20 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stylet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French stilet stiletto, from Old Italian stiletto — more at stiletto

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stylet was in 1697

Dictionary Entries Near stylet

Cite this Entry

“Stylet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stylet. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

stylet

noun
1
also stylette
a
: a slender surgical probe
b
: a thin wire inserted into a catheter to maintain rigidity or into a hollow needle to maintain patency
2
: a relatively rigid elongated organ or appendage (as a piercing mouthpart) of an animal

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