stylus

noun sty·lus \ ˈstī-ləs \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of stylus

plural styli play \ˈstī(-ə)-ˌlī\ also styluses play \ˈstī-lə-səz\

: an instrument for writing, marking, or incising: such as

a : an instrument used by the ancients in writing on clay or waxed tablets

b : a hard-pointed pen-shaped instrument for marking on stencils used in a reproducing machine

c (1) : needle 3c

(2) : a cutting tool used to produce an original record groove during disc recording

d : a pen-shaped pointing device used for entering data (such as positional information from a graphics tablet) into a computer

See stylus defined for English-language learners

See stylus defined for kids

Recent Examples of stylus from the Web

Microsoft is also reportedly planning LTE versions of its smaller Surface tablet, along with cheaper keyboard covers, a stylus, and mouse.

— tom warren, The Verge, "Microsoft’s $400 Surface tablet hits the FCC, could launch soon," 3 July 2018
The chain is giving away 100,000 styluses that looks like a french fry along with bonus smartphone stands at 2,000 nationwide locations, while supplies last.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "National Selfie Day: Free 'Frylus' and smartphone stand at McDonald's on Thursday," 20 June 2018
Simpson does all of his artwork through a tablet and stylus, which digitally transfer his drawings to a computer screen.

— chapel fowler, charlotteobserver, "A Charlotte billboard recruiting LeBron James? This illustrator created one for ESPN.," 19 June 2018
Chief among those interactions is the option to digitally write and draw on the screen with Apple’s stylus.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple Unveils Updated iPad Touted for Students As a Possible New Apple Watch Looms," 31 Mar. 2018
The Frylus is a golden-colored stylus modeled after a French fry.

— caroline judelson, Fox News, "McDonald's offering free 'Frylus' for National Selfie Day," 19 June 2018
This new iPad will support the Apple Pencil, the stylus accessory that, until this point, was only compatible with the company’s more expensive iPad Pro tablets.

— Time, "Apple Just Announced a New Cheaper iPad. Here's What to Know About It," 27 Mar. 2018
Surgeons use a stylus to rotate and examine every layer of anatomy, getting more information than from 2-D imaging.

— laura landro, WSJ, "The Operating Room of the Future," 28 May 2018
Logitech will also be selling its own stylus that’s compatible with the new tablet for just $49.

— edward c. baig, USA TODAY, "Apple unveils new $299 iPad for students--supports AR, Apple Pencil," 27 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of stylus

Latin stylus, stilus spike, stylus — more at style

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1773

in the meaning defined above

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STYLUS Defined for English Language Learners

stylus

noun

Definition of stylus for English Language Learners

: a very small, pointed piece of metal that touches a record and produces sound when the record is played
: a tool used long ago for writing on clay or wax tablets
: a small tool that is used to write or touch buttons on a computer