fiber

noun fi·ber \ ˈfī-bər \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of fiber

1 : a thread or a structure or object resembling a thread: such as

a (1) : a slender root (as of a grass)

(2) : an elongated tapering thick-walled plant cell void at maturity that imparts elasticity, flexibility, and tensile strength

b (1) : a strand of nerve tissue : axon, dendrite

(2) : one of the filaments composing most of the intercellular matrix of connective tissue

(3) : one of the elongated contractile cells of muscle tissue

c : a slender and greatly elongated natural or synthetic filament (as of wool, cotton, asbestos, gold, glass, or rayon) typically capable of being spun into yarn

d : mostly indigestible material in food (such as legumes, whole grains, and vegetables) that stimulates the intestine to peristalsis and promotes elimination of waste from the large intestine : bulk, roughage

dietary fiber

trying to get more fiber in her diet

2 : material made of fibers; especially : vulcanized fiber

3 a : an element that gives texture or substance

b : basic toughness : strength, fortitude

c : essential structure or character

the very fiber of a person's being

—

fibered

play \ˈfī-bərd\ adjective

See fiber defined for English-language learners

See fiber defined for kids

Examples of fiber in a Sentence

It's important to get enough fiber in your diet.
What foods do you recommend as good sources of fiber?
foods that are high in fiber
The fabric is made from a mix of synthetic fibers.
The natural fibers allow the fabric to breathe.
The paper is made from both cotton and wood fiber.
Nylon is a very strong man-made fiber.
The police examined hair and bits of fiber found in the victim's car.

Recent Examples of fiber from the Web

Advanced yarns and fibers aren’t straight but rather split into multiple branches, providing channels for water to pass through, and their surfaces are crafted to be rough so odor-causing bacteria can’t get a toehold.

— matt gross, WSJ, "The Best Shirts and Shorts for Keeping Sweaty Runners Dry," 7 June 2018
For one thing, whole fruit has both soluble and insoluble fiber.

— markham heid, Time, "Is It Possible To Eat Too Much Fruit?," 6 June 2018
Nail clipping and ear cleaning services by Doreen's Country Pet Grooming will also be available for a $10 donation and Fido's Fiber will be demonstrating spinning dog fibers into yarns.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 5 June 2018
The synthetic material is flash spun high-density polyethylene fibers.

— sarah hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Chances are, the wristband you got at that concert or festival was made by Artemax in New Berlin," 5 June 2018
Dozens of artists and craftspeople from Cincinnati area sell unique works in photography, painting, jewelry, sculpture, glass, fiber, woodturning and more.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week in Cincinnati: June 4-10," 4 June 2018
Lauryn is just woven into my fiber of my musical DNA.

— nolan feeney, Billboard, "The Next Generation of Lauryn Hill: 16 Artists on Their Favorite 'Miseducation' Songs," 1 June 2018
Pele's hair: Pele's hair — fine strands of volcanic glass fibers — is formed from lava fountains and rapidly moving lava flows, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "What in the world are vog, laze and Pele's hair? A volcano glossary," 1 June 2018
Think Samuel Morse after an especially fiber-rich dinner.

— steve mirsky, Scientific American, "A Book That Bills Itself as “the Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence”," 1 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of fiber

Middle French fibre, from Latin fibra

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1607

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

fiber Synonyms

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile

FIBER Defined for English Language Learners

fiber

noun

Definition of fiber for English Language Learners

: plant material that cannot be digested but that helps you to digest other food
: a thin thread of natural or artificial material that can be used to make cloth, paper, etc.
: material (such as cloth) that is made from thin threads : something made of fibers