staple

1 of 4

noun (1)

sta·​ple ˈstā-pəl How to pronounce staple (audio)
: a usually U-shaped fastener: such as
a
: a metal loop both ends of which are driven into a surface to hold the hook, hasp, or bolt of a lock, secure a rope, or fix a wire in place
b
: a small wire both ends of which are driven through layers of thin and easily penetrable material (such as paper) and usually clinched to hold the layers together
c
: a usually metal surgical fastener used to hold layers of tissue together (as in the closure of an incision)

staple

2 of 4

verb

stapled; stapling ˈstā-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce staple (audio)

transitive verb

: to provide with or secure by staples

staple

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: a town used as a center for the sale or exportation of commodities in bulk
2
: a place of supply : source
3
: a chief commodity or production of a place
4
a
: a commodity for which the demand is constant
b
: something having widespread and constant use or appeal
c
: the sustaining or principal element : substance
5
6
a
: textile fiber (such as wool and rayon) of relatively short length that when spun and twisted forms a yarn rather than a filament
b
: the length of a piece of such textile fiber

staple

4 of 4

adjective

1
: used, needed, or enjoyed constantly usually by many individuals
2
: produced regularly or in large quantities
staple crops such as wheat and rice
3

Examples of staple in a Sentence

Verb I stapled the pages in the upper left corner. Adjective such staple items as flour and sugar That's a staple plot in mystery novels. staple crops like wheat, rice, or sugarcane
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While the Duchess of Gloucester has attended the event once before, this year was the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent's first time at the staple on the royal calendar. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 This year, Vanity Fair served an array of pizzas from chef Evan Funke, but In-N-Out was still a staple of the party. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 The Ship’s Hatch has been a beloved staple of the Pentagon crowd in Crystal City. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 The movie’s one major innovation, which is that none of the characters speak, has already been a staple of the genre for years, with franchises like A Quiet Place and Don’t Breathe exploiting the concept to the max. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 Her business has now been a staple in the community for nearly five years. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 Aritzia Unwind Ankle Socks $8 $6 Socks are capsule wardrobe staples that often get overlooked. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2024 As a staple of Highlights magazines and family-restaurant placemats, its purpose is to use up time, quietly. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024 Mongers’, the charcuterie, cheese and chocolate shop with another storefront in Midtown Detroit, has become a local staple for gourmet pantry items and specialty foods for more than five years. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Draped in a suit, the Migos rapper grows increasingly vexed after spending his time stapling papers. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Dec. 2023 Wayte was taken out in an ambulance and treated for a concussion and a head wound that had to be stapled shut. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023 The right side of her head had been shaved and stapled closed. Jenisha Watts, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2023 The two-month manhunt unfolded at the dawn of the internet age, the first time a Missing Person flyer was posted online, not just stapled to telephone poles and Scotch-taped to storefront windows. Time, 2 Oct. 2023 Right now, as Mizutani’s gallery decides how to organize the forthcoming show, many of the paintings have been haphazardly stapled to the walls. Kurt Soller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Beforehand, people fill the Temple with messages, writing on the walls and stapling photos and personal effects to the structure. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2023 Made from durable maple hardwood, the broom’s heavy-duty head features strong styrene acrylonitrile bristles that are attached in tufts and securely stapled in place to prevent shedding. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2023 For the 1966 Watts Summer Festival, Sylvester stapled together a trove of aluminum pie tins to fashion dresses for himself and Tiki, another Disquotay. Paula Mejía, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023
Adjective
The Keds’ Champion silhouette, which debuted in 1916 and has since become a staple style for the brand, is modeled by the two in the snapshots. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Non-Stick Another staple choice in our baking supply kit is a non-stick pan, which makes baking a breeze. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2024 Collards are a superfood In warmer months and at outdoor celebrations, however, this staple dish is either completely left out or passed over in favor of sides that are easier to transport and add to your plate. Adrienne Cheatham, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 The business continues to offer its staple baked goods and pastries, but now has a seasonal menu for dining. Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 Understanding buckwheat and millet pillows Buckwheat and millet grains are a staple food and a source of carbohydrates for many people worldwide. Sixteen Ramos, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 Everyone needs a staple black top for their wardrobe and this Turtleneck Bodysuit is a non-negotiable for the winter season. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2023 Every month will have its own unique creation for customers — in addition to all of the staple items the restaurant offers. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The plan will also include the refinement of the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood granting a promising future for the staple neighborhood. Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'staple.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English stapel post, staple, from Old English stapol post; akin to Middle Dutch stapel step, heap, emporium, Old English steppan to step

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French estaple, from Middle Dutch stapel emporium

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of staple was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near staple

Cite this Entry

“Staple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staple. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

staple

1 of 4 noun
sta·​ple ˈstā-pəl How to pronounce staple (audio)
: a usually U-shaped fastener: as
a
: a piece of metal with sharp points to be driven into a surface to hold something (as a hook, rope, or wire)
b
: a piece of thin wire that is driven through papers and bent over at the ends to fasten them together or driven through thin material to fasten it to something else
c
: a usually metal surgical fastener used to hold layers of tissue together (as in the closing of a wound)

staple

2 of 4 verb
stapled; stapling -p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce staple (audio)
: to fasten with staples

staple

3 of 4 noun
1
: a chief product of business or farming of a place
2
a
: something in widespread and constant use or demand
b
: the chief part of something
potatoes are the staple of their diet
3
4
: textile fiber (as wool or rayon) suitable for spinning into yarn

staple

4 of 4 adjective
1
: used, needed, or enjoyed constantly usually by many individuals
2
: produced regularly or in large quantities
staple crops such as wheat and rice
3
: principal entry 1, chief
bamboo is the staple diet of the panda
Etymology

Noun

Old English stapol "post"

Noun

Middle English staple "a major market town, place for exporting"; of Dutch origin

Medical Definition

staple

noun
sta·​ple ˈstā-pəl How to pronounce staple (audio)
: a usually U-shaped and typically metal surgical fastener used to hold layers of tissue together (as in the closure of an incision)
staple transitive verb
stapled; stapling
stapler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on staple

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