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staple

noun (1)
sta·​ple | \ ˈstā-pəl How to pronounce staple (audio) \

Definition of staple

 (Entry 1 of 4)

: a usually U-shaped fastener: such as
a : a metal loop both ends of which are driven into a surface to hold the hook, hasp, or bolt of a lock, secure a rope, or fix a wire in place
b : a small wire both ends of which are driven through layers of thin and easily penetrable material (such as paper) and usually clinched to hold the layers together
c : a usually metal surgical fastener used to hold layers of tissue together (as in the closure of an incision)

staple

verb
stapled; stapling\ ˈstā-​p(ə-​)liŋ How to pronounce stapling (audio) \

Definition of staple (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

: to provide with or secure by staples

staple

noun (2)

Definition of staple (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a town used as a center for the sale or exportation of commodities in bulk
2 : a place of supply : source
3 : a chief commodity or production of a place
4a : a commodity for which the demand is constant
b : something having widespread and constant use or appeal
c : the sustaining or principal element : substance
5 : raw material
6a : textile fiber (such as wool and rayon) of relatively short length that when spun and twisted forms a yarn rather than a filament
b : the length of a piece of such textile fiber

staple

adjective

Definition of staple (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : used, needed, or enjoyed constantly usually by many individuals
2 : produced regularly or in large quantities staple crops such as wheat and rice
3 : principal, chief
Other Words from staple More Example Sentences Learn More about staple

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Examples of staple in a Sentence

Verb

 I stapled the pages in the upper left corner.

Adjective

 such staple items as flour and sugar That's a staple plot in mystery novels. staple crops like wheat, rice, or sugarcane
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First Known Use of staple

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for staple

Noun (1)

Middle English stapel post, staple, from Old English stapol post; akin to Middle Dutch stapel step, heap, emporium, Old English steppan to step

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French estaple, from Middle Dutch stapel emporium

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More Definitions for staple

staple

verb

English Language Learners Definition of staple

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to attach (something) with staples

staple

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of staple (Entry 2 of 2)

: used, needed, or enjoyed constantly by many people
: produced regularly or in large quantities

See the full definition for staple in the English Language Learners Dictionary

staple

noun
sta·​ple | \ ˈstā-pəl How to pronounce staple (audio) \

Kids Definition of staple

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a short thin wire with bent ends that is punched through papers and squeezed to hold them together or punched through thin material to fasten it to a surface
2 : a piece of metal shaped like a U with sharp points to be driven into a surface to hold something (as a hook, rope, or wire)

staple

verb
stapled; stapling

Kids Definition of staple (Entry 2 of 4)

: to fasten with staples

staple

noun

Kids Definition of staple (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a chief product of business or farming of a place
2 : something that is used widely and often I went shopping for bread, milk, and other staples.
3 : the chief part of something Potatoes are the staple of their diet.

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