straw

play

noun \ ˈstrȯ \

Definition of straw

1 a :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

3 a (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 2

4 a :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

—

strawy

play \ˈstrȯ-ē\ adjective

— straw in the wind

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

See straw defined for English-language learners

See straw defined for kids

Examples of straw in a Sentence

He was chewing on a straw.
He asked for a straw for his iced tea.
She drank the juice through a straw.

Recent Examples of straw from the Web

Many believed that this moment in Trump’s presidency may be the final straw for the more rationally minded members of the administration.

— emily jane fox, vanityfair.com, "The Myth of Jared and Ivanka Meets Charlottesville," 16 Aug. 2017
Many believed that this moment in Trump’s presidency may be the final straw for the more rationally minded members of the administration.

— emily jane fox, The Hive, "The Myth of Jared and Ivanka Meets Charlottesville," 16 Aug. 2017
In 1672, San Vitores secretly baptized the infant daughter of a local chief, Matå‘pang, against the chief’s wishes, a last straw that ended with San Vitories' death.

— doug herman, Smithsonian, "A Brief, 500-Year History of Guam," 16 Aug. 2017
The amped-up planning might have been Kakutani’s final straw.

— boris kachka, Daily Intelligencer, "What the Departure of the Times’ Michiko Kakutani Means for Books Coverage," 15 Aug. 2017
Perhaps the last straw was an incident relayed by Gen. James Holmes, the head of the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "U.S. Military Bases Now Have the OK to Shoot Down Drones," 8 Aug. 2017
About an hour later, Newton – wearing a straw hat and madras shorts – sat down in the media room and offered his perspective on the Panthers’ plans to run Newton less to preserve the tread on his 28-year-old body.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Is what’s best for Panthers QB Cam Newton’s future also what’s best for team in 2017?," 27 July 2017
The implied partisanship at the government’s leading statistical agency may have been the last straw for Thompson.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Money, politics, and abandoned homes: Why the 2020 Census might be in jeopardy," 24 July 2017
The designer is bringing her colorful, directional line to Browns this summer in an exclusive capsule that includes a wonderfully large straw hat and sculptural wicker basket that doesn’t look like it was ripped from an old photo of Jane Birkin.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Rosie Assoulin’s Capsule for Browns Makes Me Like Straw Bags Again," 20 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of straw

Middle English, from Old English strēaw; akin to Old High German strō straw, Old English strewian to strew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

straw

adjective

Definition of straw

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

Examples of straw in a Sentence

the cheese maker told us that the best Parmesan cheeses are straw, not white, in color

Recent Examples of straw from the Web

Straw bags with pom-pom accents are sure to please.

— NOLA.com, "4 cool new shops and galleries to discover around New Orleans," 8 July 2017
Straw blinds go up to the ceiling, concealing the fact that the windows are much shorter.

— lisa cregan, House Beautiful, "An Empty "White Cube" Apartment Gets Its Masterpiece Theatre Moment," 19 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of straw

15th century

straw Synonyms

Synonyms

fair, flaxen, golden, sandy, blond, tawny

Related Words

ocherous (or ochreous); ash-blond (or ash-blonde), blondish, strawberry blonde (or strawberry blond), towheaded; gold, light, white

Near Antonyms

black-a-vised, brown, brunet (or brunette), dark, olive, swart, swarthy; black, ebony, raven

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

STRAW Defined for English Language Learners

straw

play

noun

Definition of straw for English Language Learners

: the dry stems of wheat and other grain plants
: a single dry stem of a grain plant
: a thin tube used for sucking up a drink

STRAW Defined for Kids

straw

play

noun \ ˈstrȯ \

Definition of straw for Students

1 :dry plant stems (as of grain after threshing)

a mat of straw

2 :a slender tube for sucking up a beverage

Learn More about straw

See words that rhyme with straw Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for straw Spanish Central: Translation of straw Nglish: Translation of straw for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of straw for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about straw

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straw

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Examples of straw in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of straw

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straw

Definition of straw

Examples of straw in a Sentence

Recent Examples of straw from the Web

First Known Use of straw

straw Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

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STRAW Defined for English Language Learners

straw

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