dipstick

noun

dip·​stick ˈdip-ˌstik How to pronounce dipstick (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Replace the dipstick and oil cap after changing the oil. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025 Check the oil level using the dipstick. Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025 This fluid has a dipstick that's separate from the stick used for the engine oil but works the same way. Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2025 Inspect the soil surface for dryness and poke your finger into the potting mix as an easy dipstick method. Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dipstick

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dipstick was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dipstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dipstick. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dipstick

noun
dip·​stick ˈdip-ˌstik How to pronounce dipstick (audio)
: a rod with marks for indicating depth (as of the oil in an automobile)

Medical Definition

dipstick

noun
dip·​stick ˈdip-ˌstik How to pronounce dipstick (audio)
: a chemically sensitive strip of paper used to identify one or more constituents (as glucose or protein) of urine by immersion
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!