thimble

noun

thim·​ble ˈthim-bəl 

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

Examples of thimble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a witch with witches’ thimbles was no good. — Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

This included thimbles as the tips of his fingers and a tray as a breast plate. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025

After diving to a pressure of 12,500 feet, the cup is now a bit larger than a thimble. — Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Carrillo works from a Tamiami home garage full of colorful thimbles of thread, sewing machines and apparel cutouts. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thimble

• cymbal
• gimbal
• nimble
• symbol

Kids Definition

thimble

noun

thim·​ble ˈthim-bəl 

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