1
a
: any of various strong adhesive substances
especially
: a hard protein chiefly gelatinous substance that absorbs water to form a viscous solution with strong adhesive properties and that is obtained by cooking down collagenous materials (such as hides or bones)
b
: a solution of glue used for sticking things together
2
: something that binds together
… enough social glue … to satisfy the human desire for community.—
E. D. Hirsch, Jr.
E. D. Hirsch, Jr.
glued; gluing also glueing
1
: to cause to stick tightly with or as if with glue
gluing the parts together
used that war to glue together a frail story—Gloria Emerson
Gloria Emerson2
: to cause to remain continuously or to be fixed steadily
—usually used with to
The spectators were glued to their seats.
all eyes glued to the TV screen
Examples of glue in a Sentence
Noun
The hardware store offers several different glues.
used glue to stick the photo in the album
Verb
I glued the pieces of the cup back together.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Of the 63 dead roaches, 40 were under a soda machine, six were on a glue trap on a counter next to single service to-go items (usually plates, plastic utensils) and another half-dozen under the microwave oven.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
As for the soundproofing foam glued to the ceiling, Jacques alleged that a local company recommended it to him without disclosing the fire risk.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glue
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Noun
This research marks the first time scientists have identified the specific amino acids — arginine and tyrosine — that act as molecular glue, giving spider silk its legendary properties.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Of the 63 dead roaches, 40 were under a soda machine, six were on a glue trap on a counter next to single service to-go items (usually plates, plastic utensils) and another half-dozen under the microwave oven.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Everything seemed to go right for pro football last year, from notching a 10% year-over-year viewership gain to nail-biting finishes to the kind of unpredictability in team rankings that keeps fans glued to live telecasts and shelling out huge dollars to attend games.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
As for the soundproofing foam glued to the ceiling, Jacques alleged that a local company recommended it to him without disclosing the fire risk.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glue
Cite this Entry
“Glue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glue. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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