needle

1 of 2

noun

nee·​dle ˈnē-dᵊl How to pronounce needle (audio)
1
a
: a small slender usually steel instrument that has an eye for thread or surgical sutures at one end and that is used for sewing
b
: any of various devices for carrying thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting)
c(1)
: a slender hollow instrument for introducing material into or removing material from the body (as by insertion under the skin)
(2)
: an extremely thin solid usually stainless steel instrument used in acupuncture and inserted through the skin
d
: any of various slender hollow devices used to introduce matter (such as air) into or remove it from an object (such as a ball)
2
a
: a slender bar of magnetized steel that when allowed to turn freely (as in a compass) indicates the direction of a magnetic field (as of the earth)
b
: a slender usually sharp-pointed indicator on a dial
3
a
: a slender pointed object resembling a needle: such as
(1)
: a pointed crystal
(2)
: a sharp rock
(3)
b
: a needle-shaped leaf (as of a conifer)
c
: a slender rod (as of jewel or steel) with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to transmit vibrations from a record : stylus
d
: a slender pointed rod controlling a fine inlet or outlet (as in a valve)
4
: a teasing or gibing remark
needlelike adjective

Illustration of needle

Illustration of needle
  • 1 suture
  • 2 sewing
  • 3 knitting

needle

2 of 2

verb

needled; needling
ˈnēd-liŋ,
ˈnē-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce needle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle
2
a
b
: to incite to action by repeated gibes
needled the boy into a fight
needler
ˈnēd-lər
ˈnē-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce needle (audio)
noun

Examples of needle in a Sentence

Noun I need a needle and thread to sew the button on your shirt. The needle on the scale points to 9 grams. The compass needle points north. Verb His classmates needled him about his new haircut. we needled him mercilessly for thinking that he had any chance of being the prom date for the school's most popular girl
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.
Noun
This nifty gadget uses cutting-edge optical technology to create a 3D map of your veins, making needle insertion a breeze. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2024 Something like The New York Times needle is a much better product. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The big picture: The billionaires have been needling each other over their respective space ambitions for about two decades. Hope King, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 Who is Tony Hinchcliffe? Hinchcliffe, raised in Youngstown, Ohio, is a stand-up comedian who specializes in the roast style, in which comedians take the podium to needle a celebrity victim with personal and often tasteless jokes. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for needle 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nedle, from Old English nǣdl; akin to Old High German nādala needle, nājan to sew, Latin nēre to spin, Greek nēn

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1715, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of needle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near needle

Cite this Entry

“Needle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needle. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

needle

1 of 2 noun
nee·​dle ˈnēd-ᵊl How to pronounce needle (audio)
1
a
: a small slender usually steel instrument that has an eye for thread or surgical sutures at one end and is used for sewing
b
: any of various devices for carrying thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting)
c
: a slender hollow usually stainless steel instrument by which material is put into or taken from the body through the skin
d
: an extremely thin solid usually stainless steel instrument used in acupuncture and inserted through the skin
2
a
: a slender bar of magnetized steel that is free to turn (as in a compass) to show the direction of a magnetic field
b
: a slender pointer on a dial
3
a
: a slender pointed object (as a pointed crystal or an obelisk)
b
: a leaf (as of a pine) shaped like a needle
4
: a slender piece of jewel or steel with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to transmit vibrations from the record
needlelike adjective

needle

2 of 2 verb
needled; needling ˈnēd-liŋ How to pronounce needle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
2
: to cause to take action by repeated stinging remarks
needler
ˈnēd-lər How to pronounce needle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

Medical Definition

needle

1 of 2 noun
nee·​dle ˈnēd-ᵊl How to pronounce needle (audio)
1
: a small slender usually steel instrument designed to carry sutures when sewing tissues in surgery
2
: a slender hollow instrument for introducing material into or removing material from the body parenterally

needle

2 of 2 transitive verb
needled; needling ˈnēd-liŋ, -ᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce needle (audio)
: to puncture, operate on, or inject with a needle
needling a cataract

More from Merriam-Webster on needle

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