straw

noun \ ˈstrȯ \

Updated on: 20 Apr 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

In a related action, Dennis T. Harris, 56, Chicago, was also charged with possessing drug equipment after he was found to have a plastic straw used to ingest heroin, police said.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Southland police blotter," 17 Apr. 2018
In America, nearly 2,000 restaurants and organizations have banned straws or implemented a straws-only-upon-request policy, according to a July report in The Washington Post.

— emily atkin, The New Republic, "The Global Crisis of Plastic Pollution," 16 Apr. 2018
With 15 goals in the competition this season–seven more than the next closest players–Ronaldo, at 33, is still very much the straw the stirs Real Madrid's drink and has Zinedine Zidane's side on course for a three-peat.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "Bayern Munich to Face Real Madrid, Liverpool Draws Roma in Champions League Semifinals," 13 Apr. 2018
Each is sucking on his or her own black plastic drinking straw.

— bee wilson, WSJ, "Could It Be the Last Straw for Plastic Straws?," 13 Apr. 2018
Entire villages have been burned with flame throwers, boys and girls locked in straw huts, and lit on fire.

— Fox News, "What does the US accomplish by striking Syria?," 13 Apr. 2018
He was always terrified of what getting into spying could do to Paige, and watching Elizabeth just about kill herself for the job while treating their daughter like a co-worker feels like a last-straw moment if there ever was one.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "The Americans begins its long plunge toward the end in a riveting episode," 12 Apr. 2018
Prosecutors believe Vallejo and his wife used straw companies to divert thousands of dollars in campaign and political committee donations money to pay their own personal bills in 2015.

— jay weaver and david ovalle, miamiherald, "North Miami Beach mayor quits office, gets house arrest in corruption case | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
Swap heavy linens for an airy, white cotton tablecloth and woven straw placemats.

— danielle blundell, ELLE Decor, "5 Spring Trends to Spruce Up Your Space," 9 Apr. 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.