chopstick

noun

chop·​stick ˈchäp-ˌstik 

plural chopsticks

: one of a pair of slender sticks (as of wood or plastic) held between the thumb and fingers and used to lift food to the mouth

Never spear food with a chopstick! If you're having trouble picking up your food, a spoon is your plan B.

—Laura Barry

—usually used in plural

To eat rice, both etiquette and practicality dictate that you use chopsticks to pick up a morsel of meat, fish, or whatever …; position it over the rice bowl, allowing its juices or sauce to drip into the rice; eat the morsel; then shovel some rice into your mouth with the chopsticks.

—Saveur

"… I do get uncomfortable when people use chopsticks for every Asian food. Traditionally, I may use chopsticks when my food is served in a soup bowl with noodles or rice, but we often use forks and spoons for our dishes. …"

—Darrell Loo, quoted in Feast

Illustration of chopstick

Examples of chopstick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If grown in containers, allow the soil to dry out a few inches deep before watering; insert a chopstick into the soil to check moisture levels. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026

Using chopsticks, gently stir the dough in the bowl to break apart any clumps that may be sticking together. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Use a skewer or chopstick to stir each muffin cup to evenly disperse fillings. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

The robot began swinging its arms uncontrollably, smashing plates and sending chopsticks and dishware flying across the table. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Chinese Pidgin English chop fast + English stick

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chopstick

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• joystick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• picnic
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick

Kids Definition

chopstick

noun

chop·​stick ˈchäp-ˌstik 

: one of a pair of slender sticks used chiefly in Asian countries to lift food to the mouth