haystack

noun

hay·​stack ˈhā-ˌstak How to pronounce haystack (audio)
1
: a stack of hay
2
: a vertical standing wave in turbulent river waters

Examples of haystack in a Sentence

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.
Researchers from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) made this needle-in-haystack find by chance, spotting a large patch of Drosera silvicola just outside of the west coast city of Perth. New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025 However, the gravitational wave detectors were only able to narrow down the source of this signal to a region of sky equivalent to around 6,000 times the width of the moon, which makes looking for an accompanying electromagnetic signal akin to searching for a needle in a cosmic haystack. Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Nov. 2025 According to scientists, detecting such an event in the Large Hadron Collider data is extremely rare and as difficult as finding a single needle in a haystack the size of an Olympic stadium. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025 Each oceanfront room features a balcony looking out toward a towering haystack rock in the sea, plus gas fireplaces, pillow-top mattresses, and cast-iron soaking tubs. Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haystack

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of haystack was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Haystack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haystack. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

haystack

noun
hay·​stack -ˌstak How to pronounce haystack (audio)
: a stack of hay

More from Merriam-Webster on haystack

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!