darning needle

noun

: a long needle with a large eye for use in darning

: dragonfly, damselfly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Don't forget: Using a darning needle, weave the tail end of the yarn in and out of the stitches. —

Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 11 Nov. 2022 After all, some of the first subcutaneous drug delivery options involved shoving a pellet of medication under the skin with a darning needle. —

Leslie Nemo, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2021 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Dragonflies have colorful common names, such as devil’s darning needle, horse stinger, eye-snatcher, and snake doctor. —

National Geographic, 28 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'darning needle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of darning needle was in 1742

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Darning needle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/darning%20needle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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