1
a
: a cord usually used to bind, fasten, or tie
—often used attributively
a string bag
b
: something that resembles a string
garnished with potato strings
2
a
archaic
: a cord (such as a tendon or ligament) of an animal body
b
: a plant fiber (such as a leaf vein)
3
a
: the gut, wire, or nylon cord of a musical instrument
b
strings plural
(1)
: the stringed instruments of an orchestra
(2)
: the players of such instruments
4
: the gut, wire, or cord of a racket or shooting bow
5
a
: a group of objects threaded on a string
a string of fish
a string of pearls
b(1)
: a series of things arranged in or as if in a line
a string of cars
a string of names
(2)
: a sequence of like items (such as bits, characters, or words)
c
: a group of business properties scattered geographically
a string of newspapers
d
: the animals and especially horses belonging to or used by one individual
6
a
: a means of recourse : expedient
b
: a group of players ranked according to skill or proficiency
7
: succession sense 3a
a string of successes
8
: one of the inclined sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers
9
a
b
: the action of lagging for break in billiards
10
11
12
: a hypothetical one-dimensional object that is infinitely thin but has a length of 10−33 centimeters, that vibrates as it moves through space, and whose mode of vibration manifests itself as a subatomic particle
1
a
: to equip with strings
b
: to tune the strings of
2
: to make tense : key up
3
a
: to thread on or as if on a string
b
: to thread with objects
c
: to tie, hang, or fasten with string
d
: to put together (words, ideas, etc.) like objects threaded on a string
strung her thoughts together
4
: to hang by the neck
—used with up
5
: to remove the strings of
string beans
6
a
: to extend or stretch like a string
string wires from tree to tree
b
: to set out in a line or series
—often used with out
1
: to move, progress, or lie in a string
2
: to form into strings
3
Examples of string in a Sentence
Noun
She tied a string around the boxes.
He tied the packages together with string.
Verb
We strung popcorn garlands for the Christmas tree.
They strung wires from tree to tree.
Scouts strung lanterns along the trail.
She strung the key around her neck.
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
South Florida third-string freshman quarterback Locklan Hewlett trotted on the field on fourth-and-6 in the third quarter, and no one on the Boise State sideline seemed to notice.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025
All of the workers who are playing the elves have either been killed in horrible ways or beheaded, and their heads are used as tree toppers, and their intestines are strung on the Christmas trees.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 29 May 2025
And all other numbers are equally string: open jobs, hires rate, and voluntary quits rates remain brisk while layoffs and unemployment rates stay low.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for string
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Each touring set, dubbed East and West, includes 10-12 singers, a seven-piece band and six string players.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
South Florida third-string freshman quarterback Locklan Hewlett trotted on the field on fourth-and-6 in the third quarter, and no one on the Boise State sideline seemed to notice.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Are the Russians stringing President Trump along? VICE PRES.
—NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025
All of the workers who are playing the elves have either been killed in horrible ways or beheaded, and their heads are used as tree toppers, and their intestines are strung on the Christmas trees.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
So, questions that have nothing to do per se with gravity have been answered using string theoretic ideas.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 29 May 2025
And all other numbers are equally string: open jobs, hires rate, and voluntary quits rates remain brisk while layoffs and unemployment rates stay low.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for string
Cite this Entry
“String.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/string. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
string
1 of 3 noun1
: a cord usually used to fasten or tie
2
: a thin tough plant structure (as the fiber connecting the halves of a bean pod)
3
a
: the gut, wire, or nylon cord of a musical instrument that is plucked, bowed, or struck to produce a sound
b
plural
: the stringed instruments of an orchestra
4
: the gut, wire, or cord of a racket or shooting bow
5
a
: a group of objects threaded on a string
a string of pearls
b
: a series of things arranged in or as if in a line
a string of automobiles
c
: a series of like items (as units of information, marks, or words)
d
: the animals and especially horses belonging to or used by one individual
6
: any of several squads of players on a team that are grouped together according to skill
the second string of a football team
7
: a series in time : succession, sequence
8
plural
: requirements or obligations connected with something
an agreement with no strings attached
string
2 of 3 verb1
: to equip (as a tennis racket) with strings
2
a
: to thread on or as if on a string
string beads
b
: to tie, hang, or fasten with string
3
: to hang by the neck
strung up from a high tree
4
: to remove the strings of
string beans
5
a
: to extend or stretch like a string
string wires from tree to tree
b
: to set out in a line or series
string
3 of 3 adjective
: of or relating to stringed musical instruments
the string section of an orchestra
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