needle
noun
nee·dle
| \ ˈnē-dᵊl
\
\
Definition of needle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a small slender usually steel instrument that has an eye for thread or surgical sutures at one end and that is used for sewing
b
: any of various devices for carrying thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting)
c(1)
: a slender hollow instrument for introducing material into or removing material from the body (as by insertion under the skin)
(2)
: an extremely thin solid usually stainless steel instrument used in acupuncture and inserted through the skin
d
: any of various slender hollow devices used to introduce matter (such as air) into or remove it from an object (such as a ball)
2a
: a slender bar of magnetized steel that when allowed to turn freely (as in a compass) indicates the direction of a magnetic field (as of the earth)
b
: a slender usually sharp-pointed indicator on a dial
3a
: a slender pointed object resembling a needle: such as
(1)
: a pointed crystal
(2)
: a sharp rock
(3)
: obelisk
b
: a needle-shaped leaf (as of a conifer)
c
: a slender rod (as of jewel or steel) with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to transmit vibrations from a record : stylus
d
: a slender pointed rod controlling a fine inlet or outlet (as in a valve)
4
: a teasing or gibing remark
needle
verb
needled;
needling\ ˈnēd-liŋ
, ˈnē-dᵊl-iŋ \
, ˈnē-dᵊl-iŋ \
Definition of needle (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle
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Other Words from needle
Noun
needlelike
\ ˈnē-dᵊl-ˌ(l)īk
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
needler
\ ˈnēd-lər
, ˈnē-dᵊl-ər \
noun
, ˈnē-dᵊl-ər \
noun
Synonyms for needle
Synonyms: Noun
hype [slang], hypodermic, hypodermic needle, hypodermic syringe, syringe
Synonyms: Verb
bait, hassle, haze, heckle, ride, taunt, tease
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Examples of needle in a Sentence
Noun
I need a needle and thread to sew the button on your shirt. The needle on the scale points to 9 grams. The compass needle points north.Verb
His classmates needled him about his new haircut. we needled him mercilessly for thinking that he had any chance of being the prom date for the school's most popular girl
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
This is a great example of how private sector leaders can partner with the community to move the needle on this important cause. — Josh Selo, The Mercury News, "Opinion: Cupertino project proves county can meet housing challenge," 14 Aug. 2019 In response, the council quickly authorized an emergency ban on needle-exchange programs in the city. — Hillary Davis, Daily Pilot, "Costa Mesa council takes next step toward permanently banning needle exchanges; one more vote to go," 7 Aug. 2019 Monroe County is one of the counties in the state that have needle exchange programs. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Marion County overdose deaths decline but that doesn't necessarily mean less drug use.," 19 July 2019 Jim Snyder, a 69-year-old gun owner from northern Virginia, said the Virginia Beach shooting had not moved the needle on gun issues for him one bit. — Author: Alan Suderman, Sarah Rankin, Anchorage Daily News, "GOP-led Virginia Legislature abruptly adjourns gun session," 10 July 2019 Newport and Covington needle exchanges are finishing their first year. — Terry Demio, Cincinnati.com, "Two Northern Kentucky needle exchanges save 92 lives in a year, says health department," 8 July 2019 Mike Mallett set up a specialist IPEDs clinic in Newport after noticing that more and more patients visiting his needle-exchange were using steroids. — The Economist, "How Welshmen went from mining coal to pumping iron," 29 June 2019 Also taking effect is a measure (SB 366) that will allow counties to approve needle-exchange programs to combat the spread of infectious diseases by intravenous drug users. — Jim Turner, orlandosentinel.com, "100 new Florida laws go into effect Monday," 28 June 2019 Those harm reduction programs were in jeopardy during the Multnomah County budget debate, with $200,000 for the needle exchange sites on the chopping block. — oregonlive.com, "Spike in Multnomah County HIV cases tied to drug use," 20 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Doctors sounded the mysteries of their union by needling each brother at random, or feeding one of them asparagus and smelling the other’s urine. — Julian Lucas, The New York Review of Books, "The Great Assimilationists," 21 Feb. 2019 Colorado Democrats have needled Gardner on tariffs this week, comparing his criticisms of tariffs to his handling of Trump’s national emergency declaration for the southern border. — Justin Wingerter, The Denver Post, "Cory Gardner slams Trump tariffs: “Turning our backs on American workers and consumers”," 7 June 2019 Meanwhile Wu has pushed and often needled the administration on other matters, ranging from regulating short-term rental and lobbying industries to advocating for a wetlands ordinance and for the city to purchase clean energy only. — Milton J. Valencia, BostonGlobe.com, "Michelle Wu says Boston is ready for change. But is Boston ready for Michelle Wu?," 30 June 2019 Henry underwent laser treatment and dry needling to break up the scar tissue, and within minutes the nerve was firing correctly again, Jeff Henry said. — Brody Miller, nola.com, "LSU freshman Cole Henry left super regional with nerve issue, expected to be ready by fall," 11 June 2019 Mary Louise manages to unsettle grieving daughter-in-law Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and needle the overbearing Madeline (Reese Witherspoon). — Hal Boedeker, orlandosentinel.com, "Meryl Streep, Doris Day, ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not!’: Weekend for legends," 7 June 2019 Painted into a corner politically and economically by sanctions, Iran has long sought to push its interests and needle its enemies through the internet. — Robert Mcmillan, WSJ, "Tech Giants Target Accounts Linked to Iran," 23 Aug. 2018 Sometimes wrinkles correspond to acupuncture points on the face, which can be needled for their location and not necessarily for their function, DiLibero explains. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, "What Exactly Is Facial Acupuncture — And Why You Should Try It," 6 Feb. 2019 Kemp needled Cagle over the surreptitious recording that surfaced last month. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Trump scores on his own goal," 16 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'needle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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