needle
5 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
needles
plural
needles
Britannica Dictionary definition of NEEDLE
[count]
1
a
:
a small, very thin object that is used in sewing and that has a sharp point at one end and a hole for thread
—
see picture at sewing
-
I need a needle and thread to sew the button on your shirt.
b
:
one of the two long, thin sticks that are used in knitting and that are pointed at one end
c
:
a very thin, pointed steel tube that is pushed through the skin so that something (such as a drug) can be put into your body or so that blood or other fluids can be taken from it
-
a hypodermic needle
d
:
a very thin tube used with a pump to put air into a ball (such as a basketball or football)
2
:
a long, thin object that moves to point to something (such as a measurement or direction)
-
The needle on the scale points to 9 grams.
-
The compass needle points north.
3
4
:
a very small piece of metal that touches a record and produces sound when the record is played
-
the needle of a record player
a needle in a haystack
informal
:
someone or something that is very hard to find
-
Searching for your earring at the park will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
-
Bumping into an old friend in New York City is like finding a needle in a haystack.
—
see also pins and needles
2
needle
/ˈniːdl̟/
verb
needles;
needled;
needling
2
needle
/ˈniːdl̟/
verb
needles;
needled;
needling
Britannica Dictionary definition of NEEDLE
[+ object]
informal
:
to criticize and laugh at (someone) in either a friendly or an unkind way
:
tease
-
His classmates needled him about his new haircut.
