matchstick

noun

match·​stick ˈmach-ˌstik How to pronounce matchstick (audio)
1
: a slender piece especially of wood from which a match is made
2
: something resembling a matchstick especially in slenderness
cut a carrot into matchsticks

Examples of matchstick in a Sentence

Cut the peppers into pieces the size of matchsticks.
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.
Brussels sprouts, shitake mushrooms, and matchstick carrots accompany the salmon in this rice bowl. Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026 Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, alliances with various European powers shifted and forts rose, then fell into piles of matchsticks. Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026 Cut the ginger root in 1-inch matchsticks and add to the bowl. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026 Wood floors, furnishings, and matchstick bamboo blinds boost the warmth and add texture and contrast for a cozy kitchen where everyone will gather. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for matchstick

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of matchstick was in 1791

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Matchstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matchstick. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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