dipstick

noun

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dip·stick | \ ˈdip-ˌstik

Definition of dipstick

1 : a graduated rod for indicating depth (as of oil in a crankcase)

2 [euphemism for dipshit] : nitwit

3 : a chemically sensitive strip of paper used to identify one or more constituents (such as glucose or protein) of urine by immersion

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About dipstick

Examples of dipstick in a Sentence

Some dipstick cut in front of me on the highway. which dipstick used the good china as a dog dish?

Recent Examples on the Web Gilbert compares individual antibody titers with a dipstick for oil in a car. — Tasnim Ahmed, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 The task of periodically checking the liquids was typically carried out by a young Russian who climbed on top of the tanks with a dipstick. — Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2022 My 2019 Alfa, with a 2-liter engine, doesn’t have a dipstick to check the oil level. — Ray Magliozzi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2020 Antibody and antigen tests are typically run as lateral flow immunoassays, says Lalli, and—like pregnancy tests—come as a dipstick. — Naomi Xu Elegant, Fortune, 26 May 2020 Note: Some folks will tip a mower and drain the oil from the dipstick entry, avoiding the need to remove the drain plug. — cleveland, 30 Mar. 2020 Traditionally, urinalysis has been performed using test strips; a typical dipstick test, which changes color to reflect a positive or negative reading, costs some five dollars and can be done anywhere. — Colton Wooten, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2019 The mechanic should have checked both the oil capacity and the dipstick. — Ray Magliozzi, courant.com, 6 Oct. 2019 Usually, they're diagnosed with a dipstick analysis like the one Price took or by sending the urine sample to a lab to look for bacteria. — Suzannah Weiss, chicagotribune.com, 5 July 2019 See More

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