thimble

noun thim·ble \ ˈthim-bəl \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of thimble

1 : a pitted cap or cover worn on the finger to push the needle in sewing

2 a : a grooved ring of thin metal used to fit in a spliced loop in a rope as protection from chafing

b : a lining (as of metal) for an opening (as in a roof or wall) through which a stovepipe or chimney passes

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Recent Examples of thimble from the Web

The artifacts include silverware, keys, thimbles, rare coins and even a mysterious gold box that conservators have yet to get open.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "The 1838 shipwreck was 'the Titanic of its time.' Divers just made an eerie discovery," 17 June 2018
The thimble won't be included in the newest version of the cult game, which rolls out in the fall, but that's not necessarily permanent.

— sarah schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Monopoly Just Got Rid of the Thimble and Now None of the Original Tokens Are Safe," 17 Feb. 2017
The powder essentially falls into a cup akin to a small thimble, where it is placed into a small oven and heated to temperatures of 500ºC, and above.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Finally, scientists have found intriguing organic molecules on Mars," 7 June 2018
Flores transfers gallon jars of jalapeño verde into plastic thimbles with snap-on lids for carryout orders.

— mike sutter, Bon Appetit, "On the Clock with Austin’s Most Beloved Waitress," 6 June 2018
Nimble is a silicone rubber finger thimble in which a tiny ceramic blade is embedded.

— judi dash, latimes.com, "These items help you find your stuff, ease your pain, make the cut and drift off to sleep," 23 Apr. 2018
The novel in its spaciousness allows world enough and time for epochs to evolve, but the short story must seize in its thimble, all at once, crisis and its crux.

— cynthia ozick, New York Times, "One Last Book From a Virtuoso of the Short Story," 14 May 2018
Flexibility is the strong point of a task light, a cold gel pack, a rubber thimble and a hybrid tent hammock.

— judi dash, latimes.com, "These items help you find your stuff, ease your pain, make the cut and drift off to sleep," 23 Apr. 2018
There is a level of impact harshness, however, that borders on flinty, likely the result of those low-profile tires that look like rubber bands wrapped around thimbles.

— Car and Driver, "2017 Subaru Impreza," 14 Dec. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of thimble

Middle English thymel, thymbyl, from Old English thȳmel covering for the thumb, from thūma thumb

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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THIMBLE Defined for English Language Learners

thimble

noun

Definition of thimble for English Language Learners

: a small metal or plastic cap used in sewing to protect the finger that pushes the needle

THIMBLE Defined for Kids

thimble

noun thim·ble \ ˈthim-bəl \

Definition of thimble for Students

: a cap or cover used in sewing to protect the finger that pushes the needle

Learn More about thimble

See words that rhyme with thimble Spanish Central: Translation of thimble Nglish: Translation of thimble for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thimble

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