straw

noun \ ˈstrȯ \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

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

But nearly drowning for an audience’s entertainment, while playing a character who was himself drowning in front of viewers, was the final meta straw of Carrey’s movie-star trajectory.

— julie miller, HWD, "Twenty Years Later, Everything Is The Truman Show," 5 June 2018
For Ziegler, Wednesday’s ninth-inning collapse was the final straw.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "Brad Ziegler is out as Marlins closer after latest meltdown," 31 May 2018
That was the straw that broke the camel's back for the Austrians.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Re-enactors Bring World War I To Life At Waldo Farm," 16 May 2018
The final straw to break the camel’s back will probably be tanning salons.

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "Dapper Dan Used to Knock Off Gucci. Now, He’s Collaborating With Them," 14 May 2018
The final straw, however, was an incident on July 2, 2017, police said.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "'Another Cameo Nightclub waiting to happen.' Council committee votes against Inner Circle liquor license renewal.," 30 Apr. 2018
Grass seed farmers were able to sell the grass straw as feed rather than burn it.

— jeff manning, OregonLive.com, "OSU trustees uphold dismissal of professor accused of sex harassment, bullying," 25 May 2018
In the past, California farmers have always survived droughts by sticking deeper and deeper straws into the ground to suck up groundwater.

— nathanael johnson, WIRED, "Are Avocados Toast?," 24 May 2018
Paper straws remained popular until they were largely replaced by plastic in the 1960s.

— david carrig, USA TODAY, "Plastic straws are polluting our oceans. Here are some alternatives," 23 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

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, "Finance firm drops suit against Russ Darrow dealership over straw buyers for fugitive con man," 24 Apr. 2018
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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

straw Synonyms

Synonyms

blond (or blonde), fair, flaxen, golden, sandy, tawny;

Near Antonyms

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

black, ebony, raven;

gold, light, white;

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

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

STRAW Defined for English Language Learners

straw

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up straw? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

straw

Definition of straw

strawy

Examples of straw in a Sentence

Recent Examples of straw from the Web

Origin and Etymology of straw

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

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

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

Phrases Related to STRAW

Related Phrases

STRAW Defined for English Language Learners

straw

Definition of straw for English Language Learners

STRAW Defined for Kids

straw

Definition of straw for Students

Learn More about straw

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

'Than': What Follows It and Why

Name More Food!

9 Words for Transnational Currencies

Ghost Word