straw

noun

\ ˈstrȯ

Definition of straw

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : stalks of grain after threshing broadly : dry stalky plant residue used like grain straw (as for bedding or packing)

b : a natural or artificial heavy fiber used for weaving, plaiting, or braiding

2 : a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass

3a(1) : something of small worth or significance

(2) : something too insubstantial to provide support or help in a desperate situation clutching at straws

b : chaff sense 2

4a : something (such as a hat) made of straw

b : a tube (as of paper, plastic, or glass) for sucking up a beverage

5 : straw yellow

straw in the wind

: a slight fact that is an indication of a coming event

straw

adjective

Definition of straw (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : made of straw a straw hat

2 : of, relating to, or used for straw a straw barn

3 : of the color of straw : pale yellow in color straw hair

4 : of little or no value : worthless

5 : of, relating to, resembling, or being a straw man

6 : of, relating to, or concerned with the discovery of preferences by means of a straw vote

Other Words from straw Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing straw Learn More About straw

Examples of straw in a Sentence

Noun He was chewing on a straw. He asked for a straw for his iced tea. She drank the juice through a straw. Adjective the cheese maker told us that the best Parmesan cheeses are straw, not white, in color

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The littlest ones are the hottest, warned her husband Brian Cano from beneath a straw cowboy hat. — Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2022 For reference, look to #coastalgrandmother icon Oprah, who is often found wearing a button-down shirt and straw hat while gardening. — Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 19 Apr. 2022 If caps aren’t your thing, Fanatics also has for sale both a gray bucket Guardians hat and a Guardians spring training straw hat as other options. — Mike Rose, cleveland, 6 Apr. 2022 Donning a straw cowboy hat, Stapleton makes his way to the stage to accept his award from presenter Arlo Parks. — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2022 In one photograph, the profile of a man who appears to be made of shadows is pictured holding eight wooden utensils, three of them obscuring his head below a straw hat. — The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2022 Pair this bikini with a straw sun hat for the perfect weekend getaway. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2022 The artist says Jones' straw hat came at the suggestion of Colin Thompson of the Central Arkansas Library System, who helped throughout the project. — Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2022 While 19 Republicans have filed to run for Oregon governor, only nine were on the ballot for Saturday’s straw poll. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive, 26 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The nation's largest auto finance company has dropped its lawsuit against auto dealer Russ Darrow over loans to what turned out to be straw buyers of luxury vehicles destined for China via a con man's business. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2018 The nation's largest auto finance company has dropped its lawsuit against auto dealer Russ Darrow over loans to what turned out to be straw buyers of luxury vehicles destined for China via a con man's business. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2018 Straw bags with pom-pom accents are sure to please. — NOLA.com, 8 July 2017 Straw blinds go up to the ceiling, concealing the fact that the windows are much shorter. — Lisa Cregan, House Beautiful, 19 Jan. 2017 See More

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