stub

1 of 2

noun

1
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
5
a
: 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

2 of 2

verb

stubbed; stubbing

transitive verb

1
a
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The ticket stubs are set to continue flowing this weekend as Disney’s Moana 2 starts its international run. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024 Some people think topping (cutting main branches back to stubs) will make a tree less susceptible to storm damage. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2024
Verb
Also, avoid extinguishing/stubbing them on stairs or railings. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 Injuries from stubbing your toe, dropping a heavy object on it, or persistent pressure from poorly fitting shoes or activities like running can cause the toenail to separate from the nail bed. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stub 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stubb, from Old English stybb; akin to Old Norse stūfr stump, Greek stypos stem

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stub was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stub

Cite this Entry

“Stub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stub. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

stub

1 of 2 noun
1
2
: a pen with a short blunt point
3
: a short part left after a larger part has been broken off or used up
a pencil stub
4
a
: a small part of a check kept as a record of the contents of the check
b
: the part of a ticket returned to the user

stub

2 of 2 verb
stubbed; stubbing
1
: to put out (as a cigarette) by crushing
2
: to strike (as one's toe) against an object

More from Merriam-Webster on stub

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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