stitch

1 of 2

noun

1
: a local sharp and sudden pain especially in the side
2
a
: one in-and-out movement of a threaded needle in sewing, embroidering, or suturing
b
: a portion of thread left in the material or suture left in the tissue after one stitch
3
: a least bit especially of clothing
didn't have a stitch on
4
: a single loop of thread or yarn around an implement (such as a knitting needle or crochet hook)
5
: a stitch or series of stitches formed in a particular way
a basting stitch

stitch

2 of 2

verb

stitched; stitching; stitches

transitive verb

1
a
: to fasten, join, or close with or as if with stitches
stitched a seam
b
: to make, mend, or decorate with or as if with stitches
2
: to unite by means of staples
stitcher noun
Phrases
in stitches
: in a state of uncontrollable laughter
he had us all in stitches

Example Sentences

Noun the stitches on a baseball She pulled out the stitches. His cut required six stitches. She gets her stitches removed tomorrow. The book teaches a variety of stitches. a scarf worked in knit stitch Verb He stitched a patch onto his coat. Her initials were stitched on the pillowcase. He stitched a design along the border of the tablecloth. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates form a thick seam up the Arctic country that’s pulling apart, releasing fresh magma one ripped stitch at a time. Danielle Bochove, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2023 Stitch Braids with Feed-In Braids Teeny weeny feed-in braids add a bit of spice to everyday stitch braids. Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 17 Feb. 2023 No need to adjust the tension; just set it to the right stitch and start immediately. Emma Seymour Feb 3, Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023 The only thing differentiating the Zematt from a basic clog is the diagonal stitch design. Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 28 Dec. 2022 After getting a stitch removed Sept. 27, Prescott started building strength in the thumb area. Dallas News, 12 Oct. 2022 This leather pair features a cushioned insole, durable outsole, and a unique stitch design that would make SJP proud. Claire Harmeyer, Health.com, 4 Nov. 2021 Cross-stitch and embroidery are cheap and easy to learn, the process is meditative, and the end result is beautiful. The Editors, Outside Online, 23 Mar. 2020 Often performed under local anesthesia, buccal fat removal begins with a small hole made to the cheek from within the mouth, through which the fat is removed, before a dissolvable stitch is placed. Jessica Ourisman, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Dec. 2022
Verb
Coverstitch machines can only be used for hemming and cannot stitch two pieces of fabric together. Emma Seymour Feb 3, Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023 Pin between the tabs, then stitch a half-inch seam all the way across. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2023 Other kinds of fungi, like the mycorrhizal fungi that Kiers studies, stitch the soil together. New York Times, 2 Aug. 2022 The species carries a muscular set of enzymes that stitch its DNA strands back together as quickly as radiation splinters them apart. Douglas Fox, Discover Magazine, 5 June 2012 Stitch Braids with Feed-In Braids Teeny weeny feed-in braids add a bit of spice to everyday stitch braids. Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 17 Feb. 2023 Nausheen and her team taught the women how to stitch pads from a cheap, absorbent cloth available in the local market. Time, 15 Sep. 2022 There are gleaming clean rooms where engines are assiduously assembled to extremely close tolerances, and there are workshops where craftsmen go to extraordinary lengths to shape and polish veneered dashboards and to cut and stitch flawless hides. Barry Winfield, Car and Driver, 7 July 2020 Hankyeol Lee stitch together and enhance archival footage to map this history. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stitch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stiche, from Old English stice; akin to Old English stician to stick

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stitch was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stitch

Cite this Entry

“Stitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stitch. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

stitch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a sudden sharp pain especially in the side
2
a
: one in-and-out movement of a threaded needle in sewing or embroidering
b
: a portion of thread left in the material after one stitch
3
: a single loop of thread or yarn around a tool (as a knitting needle)
4
: a series of stitches formed in a particular way

stitch

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to join with or as if with stitches
stitched a seam
b
: to make, mend, or decorate with or as if with stitches
2
: to do needlework : sew
stitcher noun

Medical Definition

stitch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a local sharp and sudden pain especially in the side
2
a
: one in-and-out movement of a threaded needle in suturing
b
: a portion of a suture left in the tissue after one stitch
removal of stitches

stitch

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to fasten, join, or close with stitches
stitch a wound

More from Merriam-Webster on stitch

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