toothpick

noun

tooth·​pick ˈtüth-ˌpik 

: a pointed instrument (such as a slender tapering piece of wood) for removing food particles lodged between the teeth

Examples of toothpick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bake in preheated oven until brownies form a crust on top, edges start to pull away from sides of baking pan, and a toothpick inserted into center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs, 32 to 35 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking time. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 19 June 2025

Cut the bottom three inches of your bunch of celery stalks and place this piece in a shallow bowl of water, supporting it with three or four toothpicks, in a manner similar to that used for germinating an avocado pit in water. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2025

Insert a toothpick in the center, which should come out with a few crumbs. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for toothpick

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• joystick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• picnic
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick

Kids Definition

toothpick

noun

tooth·​pick -ˌpik 

: a pointed instrument (as a thin piece of wood) for removing substances caught between the teeth

Medical Definition

toothpick

noun

tooth·​pick -ˌpik 

: a pointed instrument (as a slender tapering piece of wood) used for removing food particles lodged between the teeth