nib

noun

ˈnib 

1

: bill, beak

2

a

: the sharpened point of a quill pen

b

: pen point

also : each of the two divisions of a pen point

3

: a small pointed or projecting part

Synonyms

• beak
• bill
• neb

Examples of nib in a Sentence

a finch cracking seeds in its nib

make sure the nib has been sharpened before you try to cut anything

Recent Examples on the Web

Image: Wacom The Wacom One 12 and Wacom One 13 touch pen display tablets are equipped with 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch glass screens, respectively, which are specially bonded to reduce parallax (that gap between the stylus nib and the cursor). —Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 10 Aug. 2023

The metal components, as well as the traditional Pelikan beak-like clip, are finished with 24-karat gold, and the nib is bi-color: 18-karat gold and rhodium plate. —Nancy Olson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023

The fountain pen is fitted with a 14-karat yellow gold nib, available in extra fine, fine, medium and broad widths. —Nancy Olson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023

The fountain pen is filled by cartridge or converter and features six nib size options; it is priced at $595. —Nancy Olson, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023

Many boutique stores will exchange a fountain pen nib or even take a return on a used pen within a short time after purchase. —Nancy Olson, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022

In recent years, both men shared a passion for collecting what are called flexible nib fountain pens. —Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2023

The enormous patina-green fountain pen juts over the sidewalk on F Street, two blocks from the White House, its gold nib pointing down at the front doors like a command. —Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023

Your pen nib is probably osmium. —Paul Theroux, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of neb

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

nib

noun

ˈnib 

1

: bill entry 1 sense 1, beak

2

: the point of a pen

3

: a part that is pointed or sticks out