Staple (Noun)
Meaning 1
A natural fiber (raw cotton, wool, hemp, flax) that can be twisted to form yarn; "staple fibers vary widely in length".
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The quality of the wool depends on the staple, with longer fibers producing stronger yarn.
- Flax has a long staple that makes it ideal for spinning into fine linens.
- Cotton staple is a key factor in determining the price and quality of the final product.
- Hemp is known for its exceptionally strong staple, making it a popular choice for rope and textiles.
- Raw cotton staple can range in length from one to two inches, with longer staples generally producing better yarn.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Paper fastener consisting of a short length of U-shaped wire that can fasten papers together.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- She grabbed a staple from the container and inserted it into the stapler.
- The teacher used a staple to attach the worksheet to the homework folder.
- The stapler was out of staples, so she had to buy a new pack.
- A staple held the torn page of the book together temporarily.
- He bent the staple straight to remove it from the document.
Related Words
Meaning 3
A short U-shaped wire nail for securing cables.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- A cable was tied to the router with a small staple.
- He hammered in the staple to keep the fiber optic cables organized.
- Be careful not to pinch yourself on the staple that's holding the cables in place.
- In electronics assembly, a staple is used to keep multiple cables securely bundled.
- Before reconnecting the wire, pull out the old staple with needle-nose pliers.
Meaning 4
Material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Wood has become a staple in many building materials.
- Cotton remains a staple of the global textile industry.
- Sheets of carbon fiber have become a staple for aircraft manufacturing.
- A quality yarn is a staple of many types of garment construction.
- Fabric treated with water-repellent chemicals is a staple in the production of waterproof gear.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 5
(usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Usages
Examples
- Bread and milk are staples in most households and are always in demand.
- Coffee is a staple in many office environments and is often consumed throughout the day.
- In many Asian cultures, rice is a staple food that is served with most meals.
- In the United States, jeans are a staple in many people's wardrobes and are worn frequently.
- Flour is a staple ingredient in many baked goods and is often stocked in large quantities.