plural stitches
1
: a piece of thread that is passed through a piece of material with a needle
the stitches on a baseball
She pulled out the stitches.
2
medical
: a special piece of thread that is used to hold a large cut or wound closed
His cut required six stitches.
She gets her stitches removed tomorrow.
3
a
: a single loop of thread or yarn that is wrapped around a tool (such as a knitting needle) and is linked to other loops to make fabric
After knitting another row she realized she had dropped a stitch. [=let a loop fall off a knitting needle]
b
: a particular type or style of stitch used in sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.
The book teaches a variety of stitches.
a scarf worked in knit/purl stitch
4
: a sudden sharp pain in your side
—usually singular
I've got a stitch (in my side).
stitches; stitched; stitching
1
: to use a needle and thread to make or repair (something, such as a piece of clothing) : to join (something, such as a piece of fabric or a button) to something else with stitches : sew
He stitched a patch onto his coat.
2
: to make (something, such as a design) out of stitches
Her initials were stitched on the pillowcase.
He stitched a design along the border of the tablecloth.
Cite this Entry
“Stitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/stitch. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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