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
stitched; stitching; stitches
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
Synonyms
Examples of stitch in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Only one member was slightly injured and required some stitches, said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Jaiswal said one crew member was injured in the collision and had to be taken off the ship to receive stitches.
—Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
And if that’s not enough physical punishment, Martin on Saturday took six stitches when Butler accidentally whacked him in the mouth during the Jazz game.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
Who else has used the can opener only to fish out the top from the inside afterward, risking a serious slice and stitches to the fingers?
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
After every last doily, every stitch of fabric, each skein of yard has been bought; once even the very fixtures and shelves are sold off, Wells will lock the door for the last time and walk away.
—John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2024
Curtis said Blue required 400 immediate stitches, performed by the organization’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Duerr.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024
Offstage, she can be found meticulously crafting period-appropriate costumes, infusing authenticity into every stitch.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024
Teams of women stitched makeshift capes in garment districts; newspaper ads hunted for waterproofed fabric for capes.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The video has been removed from TikTok, but many stitched it in their own critical responses.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
Soon each was stitching his own garment, stealing his own torch and jamming it onto a six-foot curtain rod.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The soaring sharp needle of sung and played notes that tear us asunder and stitch us back together.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024
Have your child stitch the heart in a side-to-side pattern; make sure to start and end on the inside of the card for a cleaner look.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
Her only tools are a brass dagger stitched into her bodice and a filigreed orb that serves as a lamp.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
Mine, though split, has stitched itself back together.
—John Washington, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Noun
The suspect stabbed the 53-year-old employee with a folding knife multiple times, requiring the woman to undergo surgery and receive 36 stitches, MPR News reported, citing a criminal complaint.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Only one member was slightly injured and required some stitches, said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Jaiswal said one crew member was injured in the collision and had to be taken off the ship to receive stitches.
—Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
And if that’s not enough physical punishment, Martin on Saturday took six stitches when Butler accidentally whacked him in the mouth during the Jazz game.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
Who else has used the can opener only to fish out the top from the inside afterward, risking a serious slice and stitches to the fingers?
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
After every last doily, every stitch of fabric, each skein of yard has been bought; once even the very fixtures and shelves are sold off, Wells will lock the door for the last time and walk away.
—John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2024
Curtis said Blue required 400 immediate stitches, performed by the organization’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Duerr.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024
Offstage, she can be found meticulously crafting period-appropriate costumes, infusing authenticity into every stitch.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
Verb
Max received vocational training to design and stitch ladies’ leather purses and shoes.
—Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024
Teams of women stitched makeshift capes in garment districts; newspaper ads hunted for waterproofed fabric for capes.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The video has been removed from TikTok, but many stitched it in their own critical responses.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
Soon each was stitching his own garment, stealing his own torch and jamming it onto a six-foot curtain rod.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The soaring sharp needle of sung and played notes that tear us asunder and stitch us back together.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024
Have your child stitch the heart in a side-to-side pattern; make sure to start and end on the inside of the card for a cleaner look.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
Her only tools are a brass dagger stitched into her bodice and a filigreed orb that serves as a lamp.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
Mine, though split, has stitched itself back together.
—John Washington, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stitch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Stitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stitch. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stitch
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
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 noun1
: 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
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