string

noun

Save Word

\ ˈstriŋ

Definition of string

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a cord usually used to bind, fasten, or tie —often used attributivelya string bag

b : something that resembles a string garnished with potato strings

2a archaic : a cord (such as a tendon or ligament) of an animal body

b : a plant fiber (such as a leaf vein)

3a : the gut, wire, or nylon cord of a musical instrument

b strings plural

(1) : the stringed instruments of an orchestra

(2) : the players of such instruments

4 : the gut, wire, or cord of a racket or shooting bow

5a : a group of objects threaded on a string a string of fish a string of pearls

b(1) : a series of things arranged in or as if in a line a string of cars a string of names

(2) : a sequence of like items (such as bits, characters, or words)

c : a group of business properties scattered geographically a string of newspapers

d : the animals and especially horses belonging to or used by one individual

6a : a means of recourse : expedient

b : a group of players ranked according to skill or proficiency

7 : succession sense 3a a string of successes

8 : one of the inclined sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers

9a : balkline sense 1

b : the action of lagging for break in billiards

10 : line sense 13

11 strings plural

a : contingent conditions or obligations

b : control, domination

12 : a hypothetical one-dimensional object that is infinitely thin but has a length of 10⁻³³ centimeters, that vibrates as it moves through space, and whose mode of vibration manifests itself as a subatomic particle

on the string

: subject to one's influences

string

verb

strung\ ˈstrəŋ

\; stringing\ ˈstriŋ-iŋ

Definition of string (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to equip with strings

b : to tune the strings of

2 : to make tense : key up

3a : to thread on or as if on a string

b : to thread with objects

c : to tie, hang, or fasten with string

d : to put together (words, ideas, etc.) like objects threaded on a string strung her thoughts together

4 : to hang by the neck —used with up

5 : to remove the strings of string beans

6a : to extend or stretch like a string string wires from tree to tree

b : to set out in a line or series —often used with out

intransitive verb

1 : to move, progress, or lie in a string

2 : to form into strings

3 : lag sense 3

string

adjective

Definition of string (Entry 3 of 3)

: of or relating to stringed musical instruments the string section

Other Words from string Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about string

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of string in a Sentence

Noun She tied a string around the boxes. He tied the packages together with string. Verb We strung popcorn garlands for the Christmas tree. They strung wires from tree to tree. Scouts strung lanterns along the trail. She strung the key around her neck.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Sunday's incident marks the 98th homicide in Louisville this year and is the latest in a string of fatal shootings that have hit the city this summer. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Man killed in shooting early Sunday morning at 36th and Dumesnil streets," 17 Aug. 2020 The project is the latest in a string of developments in Shakopee. — Dee Depass, Star Tribune, "Opus building sewer-parts factory in Shakopee," 12 Aug. 2020 In an interview with former White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Newsmax TV, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the crackdown on freedom offered by Chinese President Xi Jinping the latest in a string of broken promises. — Jamie Mcintyre, Washington Examiner, "US decries arrest of pro-Democracy media mogul as sign press freedom dying in Hong Kong," 11 Aug. 2020 Sunday's march was the latest in a string of dozens of protests that have taken to streets and parks across metro Phoenix since late May intended to honor and demand justice for people of color who have been hurt or killed by police. — Audrey Jensen, The Arizona Republic, "People march in Phoenix to honor Michael Brown, who police killed 6 years ago Sunday," 11 Aug. 2020 The arrest of Lai and the newsroom raid is the latest, and most high-profile, in a string of assaults on press freedom in Hong Kong. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "Beijing is moving to demolish one of the only Hong Kong newspapers it doesn’t control," 10 Aug. 2020 The Uline lease is just the latest in a string of big warehouse transactions at DFW Airport. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "Huge warehouse deal headed to DFW Airport," 10 Aug. 2020 Rosecrans' death is one in a string of at least seven suspicious deaths and disappearances of soldiers stationed at Fort Hood in the last five months. — Fox News, "Texas man charged with murder in death of Fort Hood soldier," 9 Aug. 2020 The Anchorage Daily News visited people and places near Cooper Landing recently to see how the region is enduring the latest in a string of difficult summers. — Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, "‘It’s been rough on all of us in a lot of different ways’: Cooper Landing grapples with its third straight difficult summer," 8 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb But considering Davis was the third- or perhaps fourth-string center at this point, that won’t spell disaster going forward. — Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Meaningless win over Spurs over, Utah Jazz now turn their focus to facing the Nuggets on Monday," 14 Aug. 2020 Third-string quarterback Tylan Morton led all rushers with 29 yards on three carries. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "South Alabama takes field at Hancock Whitney Stadium for first time in Wednesday night scrimmage," 13 Aug. 2020 Try carrots, onions, string beans, beets, asparagus, peppers, cauliflower or even fruit. — oregonlive, "How to pickle your veggie garden harvest: The Pecks," 12 Aug. 2020 The Washington Football Team would currently be considered a Super Bowl longshot, and there’s no reason to expect that Peterson can string together four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons at his current age. — Dallas News, "Adrian Peterson has goals: Breaking Emmitt Smith’s rushing record, and a championship," 8 Aug. 2020 Though the composer is known mainly for operas like La Bohème and Madama Butterfly, his earliest works were string quartets like Crisantemi. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "Audience of Plants Roots for Barcelona Opera House on Opening Night," 24 June 2020 Attach curtain to rod and hang Once the brackets are secure, string your curtains onto your rod from their grommets, hooks, rings, or pockets. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "How to Hang Curtains: A Step-by-Step Guide," 4 Aug. 2020 Every room has been assigned a maximum capacity, and larger rooms have been repurposed for larger ensembles, singers, or woodwind and brass instruments, which spread vapors in a way that string instruments don’t. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland, "Cleveland-area’s top college-level music schools reboot for fall semester with coronavirus measures," 2 Aug. 2020 Hang them from the roof of your deck to brighten up a party, or string them through trees and bushes for a dreamy, ethereal vibe. — Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, "These Patio String Lights Will Transform Your Backyard Into a Summertime Sanctuary," 13 July 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In their attempt to mimic the Beatles, the band employed new instrumentation and sounds, including the Mellotron, theremin, African rhythms, guitar loops, radio static and string arrangements from future Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. — William Goodman, Billboard, "How The Rolling Stones Found Themselves on 'Satanic Majesties Request' by Getting Lost," 8 Dec. 2017

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