stub

noun

\ ˈstəb

Definition of stub

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : stump sense 2

b : a short piece remaining on a stem or trunk where a branch has been lost

2 : something made or worn to a short or blunt shape especially : a pen with a short blunt nib

3 : a short blunt part left after a larger part has been broken off or used up a pencil stub

4 : something cut short or stunted

5a : a small part of a leaf (as of a checkbook) attached to the spine for memoranda of the contents of the part torn away

b : the part of a ticket returned to the user

stub

verb

stubbed; stubbing

Definition of stub (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to grub up by the roots

b : to clear (land) by grubbing out rooted growth

c : to hew or cut down (a tree) close to the ground

2 : to extinguish (something, such as a cigarette) by crushing

3 : to strike (one's foot or toe) against an object

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about stub

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Examples of stub in a Sentence

Noun

Hold onto your ticket stub in case you leave the theater and want to come back in again. an ashtray full of cigarette stubs

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

At nearly 100% off, Medina anticipates long lines for the discounted stubs, which moviegoers can only buy in person at the concessions stand in order to get the full Maisel deal. — Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, "Stockpiling pastrami and doubling staff, L.A. businesses prepare for ‘Maisel Day’," 14 Aug. 2019 Currently, all that's left of the sign at the intersection is a little metal stub. See The Swellesley Report's photo below. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "'Old Town Road' Signs Keep Disappearing in Massachusetts Town," 9 Aug. 2019 One night several of the leaves disappeared entirely leaving only stubs remaining. — Neil Sperry, ExpressNews.com, "Could a possum be a leaf-stripping vandal?," 16 Aug. 2019 In addition, a reporter also reviewed the income tax returns or pay stubs of several defendants, including Carrie Barrett, a clerk at Kroger who was profiled in the first MLK50-ProPublica story. — Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, "Stop Suing Patients, Advocates Advise Memphis Nonprofit Hospital System," 30 July 2019 Xanadu is shrunk in an instant to a stub of ugly woodland, the paucity and inadequacy of reality exposed in the horror of its dullness. — James Parker, The Atlantic, "The Spectacular P. T. Barnum," 19 July 2019 To participate, fans must turn in an entry stub from the 2020 admission ticket at the Mid Gate Information booth Sunday by no later than 3:30 p.m. The prize drawing will take place at 4 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis. — Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summerfest is giving away a bunch of freebies and 30,000 tickets for next year. So don't lose them.," 3 July 2019 If the income is irregular, users may be asked for pay stubs. — NBC News, "Millions use Earnin to get cash before payday. Critics say the app is taking advantage of them.," 26 July 2019 Mitchell said pay stubs showed one substitute driver receiving $10.50 for a single run in the morning and afternoon. — Lily Jackson | Ljackson@al.com, al.com, "Non-profit presses school board about substitute bus driver pay," 1 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

No doubt last week’s announcement has stubbed out any future efforts to continue. — Sunset, "Going to Disney? Leave the Juul, the Double-Wide Bugaboo, and Your Dry Ice at Home," 22 Jan. 2018 Instead of continuing to flourish, the Brewers stubbed their toes in a big way, dropping two of three over the weekend at Guaranteed Rate Field to one of the worst teams in the majors. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "White Sox 6, Brewers 1: String of winning series ends at six as bats go quiet in Chicago," 3 June 2018 Most people have experienced the painful, infuriating misfortune of stubbing a toe. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "This Is Why Stubbing Your Toe Hurts So Much," 17 Apr. 2018 Lewis has had a gun pointed at him three times and a cigarette stubbed out on his forehead once. — Todd C. Frankel, chicagotribune.com, "Riding with the repo man: as auto loan defaults rise, car repossessions skyrocket," 16 May 2018 Our knees stubbed into the concrete, chipping away at our morale. — Mike Kotsopoulos, BostonGlobe.com, "Here’s a runner’s perspective on the Boston Marathon," 16 Apr. 2018 There is a palpable excitement, a few potential stars in the making, and the bathroom doorway in my room in the media village is equipped with the latest toe-stubbing technology. — Michael Rosenberg, SI.com, "Welcome to the Olympics, as Complicated and Controversial as Ever," 9 Feb. 2018 Still, Purdue needs to get itself off the mat and get right again after stubbing its toe earlier this month. — Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "2018 Big Ten tournament predictions: Who's going to win it all?," 28 Feb. 2018 The Frogs started 7-0 before stubbing a toe at Iowa State to start a 3-3 stretch that included two losses to Oklahoma, one in the league championship game. — Carlos Mendez, star-telegram, "Horned Frogs arrive in San Antonio with ‘one more job’ to do," 23 Dec. 2017

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