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 of nib

• mouth
• beak
• muzzle
• mandible
• bill

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

These crispy vanilla cookies are topped with a fluffy dark chocolate mousse, covered in a layer of rich, Belgian dark chocolate, and finished with a sprinkle of crunchy, roasted cocoa nibs. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026

Try incorporating high-fiber foods like avocados, raspberries, lentils, chia seeds, and cacao nibs into your diet for an easy and delicious way to boost your health. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 Jan. 2026

The scrape of the nib on the page—tactile, rhythmic—induces a meditative state in which, one hopes, the words will flow. —The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2025

A couple of hundred years ago, pens with steel nibs were introduced, and in the 19th century, fountain pens were invented that could hold a reservoir of ink in a rubber bladder in the barrel. —New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of neb

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for nib

• bib
• bibb
• crib
• gib
• glib
• jib
• lib
• mib
• rib
• sib
• squib
• imatinib

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