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 Learn More about straw

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Synonyms for straw

Synonyms: Adjective

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 Tyson spends a few scenes under a big straw hat that hides half her face. — New York Times, "Cicely Tyson Kept It Together So We Didn’t Fall Apart," 29 Jan. 2021 This brisk chenin blanc has aromas of damson plum, cantaloupe, wild chamomile and fresh straw, with flavors of quince, pear, walnuts and honeycomb. — Michael Alberty | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, "6 Pacific Northwest wine surprises from 2020," 23 Jan. 2021 But last week’s violent assault on Congress was one straw too many. — Washington Post, "On the Suffering of the World," 13 Jan. 2021 All three drinks are topped with a splash of Topo Chico and served in disposable cups rimmed with Chamoy and chile along with a fruity garnish and playful curlicue straw. — Paul Stephen, ExpressNews.com, "Embrace the boozy aguas frescas at downtown San Antonio bar Tony’s Siesta," 29 Dec. 2020 Gobert later tested positive, the straw that shut down the NBA season and, in turn, the entire sports world. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Column: 2020 was a grind for us all — but it had its moments. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst, from Anthony Rizzo’s hand sanitizer to a Big Ten fabrication.," 28 Dec. 2020 But the targets of these attacks are straw men, and emerge from a dangerously outdated view of the world. — Alexander Zaitchik, The New Republic, "The Urgent Case for Shrinking the Economy," 28 Dec. 2020 The light between the ricks of hay and straw Was a hole in Heaven’s gable. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "The Content of Our Christmases," 25 Dec. 2020 The senior is now leading the straw polls and gambling odds to become the first receiver in decades to claim college football’s top individual prize. — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, "The topic of least interest to Alabama’s Heisman contenders," 23 Dec. 2020 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, "Finance firm drops suit against Russ Darrow dealership over straw buyers for fugitive con man," 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, "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

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.