: 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)
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
Synonyms
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
Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years.
—Paige Hagy, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2023
There’s also widespread frustration at the collapse of Russian participation in the Black Sea grain deal, which had unlocked tens of millions of tons in staple crops for the global market.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
This time around high fashion brand Simone Rocha is adding some embellishments to the classic staple Crocs.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 Sep. 2023
Black lace dresses, Peter Pan collars, mini kilts, puff sleeves: all staples of Addams’ wardrobe since the character was first created more than 80 years ago, and now can be seen everywhere — from the runway to fashion magazine covers.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
Philips Avent is a staple in the baby gear space and the brand’s Premium Fast Bottle Warmer is an affordable water bath solution for heating up breastmilk and formula, thawing frozen breastmilk, or warming baby food.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 18 Sep. 2023
While sharing this story recently with my parents over our Monday night supper, Mom’s menu featured a favorite family staple: her tender pot roast with carrots, potatoes and onions.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Enter the best cardigans for women: Versatile and stylish, these fall fashion staples come in an array of different lengths—from cropped to knee-length to even longer—and materials.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2023
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
The ornery pivot put a big smack on McAvoy only 21 seconds into his return, and also stapled the Bruins prized defenseman to the sidewall in the third, forcing McAvoy’s turnover that led to Carter Verhaeghe’s strike for the 4-2 lead.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2023
Eight plastic flamingos on the lawn, four on either side of the front door, Oklahoma Sooners caps stapled onto each of their heads.
—Hazlitt, 14 June 2023
Winter coats, underwear, toothbrushes and deodorant — daily staples the alums took for granted six decades ago — were sorely needed.
—George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2023
He’s previously collaborated with fellow genre staples Afrojack, Calum Scott, Deorro, Laidback Luke and others.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 7 June 2023
Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 Sep. 2023
These are in a staple basic sheer nude color and are a must-have for any fall wardrobe.
—WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Kendall Jenner is turning a staple clothing piece into a fashion statement.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
The long-sleeve sweater has a V-neckline and a subtle line detailing that makes this staple top stand out.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2023
The video of Fetterman that Gaetz shared on X featured the senator wearing one of his staple gray button-down shirts with short sleeves and two breast pockets.
—Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2023
Sweetened condensed milk is a staple part of the recipe, and Eagle Brand condensed milk also published a magic bar recipe on the back of its Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk around the same time.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023
The staple piece, which retails for $140 (but is currently on sale for $70) is a welcome addition to any closet.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2023
Those cafeteria lunches from childhood were fondly remembered in adulthood; now, chili and cinnamon rolls are a staple meal in homes all over the Midwest.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023
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Noun
But as her name becomes more of a staple in Indian Americans circles, Suri says what’s next for her will be determined by the status of strikes in Hollywood, which have halted the production of film and television projects.
—Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years.
—Paige Hagy, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2023
There’s also widespread frustration at the collapse of Russian participation in the Black Sea grain deal, which had unlocked tens of millions of tons in staple crops for the global market.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
This time around high fashion brand Simone Rocha is adding some embellishments to the classic staple Crocs.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 Sep. 2023
Black lace dresses, Peter Pan collars, mini kilts, puff sleeves: all staples of Addams’ wardrobe since the character was first created more than 80 years ago, and now can be seen everywhere — from the runway to fashion magazine covers.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
Philips Avent is a staple in the baby gear space and the brand’s Premium Fast Bottle Warmer is an affordable water bath solution for heating up breastmilk and formula, thawing frozen breastmilk, or warming baby food.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 18 Sep. 2023
While sharing this story recently with my parents over our Monday night supper, Mom’s menu featured a favorite family staple: her tender pot roast with carrots, potatoes and onions.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Enter the best cardigans for women: Versatile and stylish, these fall fashion staples come in an array of different lengths—from cropped to knee-length to even longer—and materials.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2023
Verb
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
The ornery pivot put a big smack on McAvoy only 21 seconds into his return, and also stapled the Bruins prized defenseman to the sidewall in the third, forcing McAvoy’s turnover that led to Carter Verhaeghe’s strike for the 4-2 lead.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2023
Eight plastic flamingos on the lawn, four on either side of the front door, Oklahoma Sooners caps stapled onto each of their heads.
—Hazlitt, 14 June 2023
Winter coats, underwear, toothbrushes and deodorant — daily staples the alums took for granted six decades ago — were sorely needed.
—George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2023
He’s previously collaborated with fellow genre staples Afrojack, Calum Scott, Deorro, Laidback Luke and others.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 7 June 2023
Adjective
But Take Note: Not everyone will be fans of the slightly oversized designs which are a staple feature of the Uniqlo brand across categories.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 Sep. 2023
These are in a staple basic sheer nude color and are a must-have for any fall wardrobe.
—WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Kendall Jenner is turning a staple clothing piece into a fashion statement.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
The long-sleeve sweater has a V-neckline and a subtle line detailing that makes this staple top stand out.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2023
The video of Fetterman that Gaetz shared on X featured the senator wearing one of his staple gray button-down shirts with short sleeves and two breast pockets.
—Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2023
Sweetened condensed milk is a staple part of the recipe, and Eagle Brand condensed milk also published a magic bar recipe on the back of its Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk around the same time.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023
The staple piece, which retails for $140 (but is currently on sale for $70) is a welcome addition to any closet.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2023
Those cafeteria lunches from childhood were fondly remembered in adulthood; now, chili and cinnamon rolls are a staple meal in homes all over the Midwest.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023
See More
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
Phrases Containing staple
Dictionary Entries Near staple
Cite this Entry
“Staple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staple. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
staple
1 of 4 noun
sta·ple
ˈstā-pəl 
: 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
3 of 4 noun1
: 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 adjective1
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on staple
Nglish: Translation of staple for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of staple for Arabic Speakers
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