thimble

thim·ble | \ ˈthim-bəl

How to pronounce thimble (audio)

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Definition of thimble

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

2a : 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

Examples of thimble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Just 20 years ago, no one could have imagined what scientists know two decades later about humanity’s deep past, let alone how much knowledge could be extracted from a thimble of dirt, a scrape of dental plaque or satellites in space. — Elizabeth Sawchuk, Smithsonian Magazine, "Archaeologists Are Unearthing the Stories of the Past Faster Than Ever Before," 27 Dec. 2019 Artifacts found at the site, from rabbit and bird bones to mollusk shells, soldiers’ buttons, buckles, thimbles and a comb, paint a portrait of a lively hub frequented by locals and travelers alike. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Archaeologists Find Shot Glass Shards, Anti-Witch Carving at Centuries-Old Scottish Pub," 16 Oct. 2019 The hides come from moose, deer, and elk; the ribbons are made of silk and the thimbles and bells of brass. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, "Inside the First Major Museum Exhibition Celebrating Native Women Artists," 31 May 2019 In the 1700s, simple poesy rings were popular in Europe, while in New England, Puritan men—shunning frivolous rings—were thought to have given thimbles to their betrothed (though women often cut off the tops and wore them as rings anyway). — Virginia Van Zanten, Vogue, "The Best Celebrity Engagement Rings of All Time," 6 Aug. 2018 An unusual brass thimble, ceramics, a knife and shards of a glazed tin jar were unearthed last month during an archaeological excavation at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City, Michigan. — James Rogers, Fox News, "Colonial era Michigan fort reveals its secrets," 3 July 2018 Update, 2/17/2017: Well, per the world's vote to replace classic Monopoly tokens, the game's beloved thimble just got the boot. — Sarah Schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Monopoly Just Got Rid of the Thimble and Now None of the Original Tokens Are Safe," 17 Feb. 2017 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

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.

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Dictionary Entries near thimble

thimble and pea

thimble chamber

Statistics for thimble

Last Updated

3 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Thimble.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thimble. Accessed 18 January 2020.

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