Illustration of needle
- 1 suture
- 2 sewing
- 3 knitting
1
a
: 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)
2
a
: 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
3
a
: 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
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
Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The question, however, is whether the steps will move the needle for Washington – and whether the two sides will be able to cooperate on the issue if their overall relations remain rocky.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Tennis legend Chris Evert needled WNBA players for lack of sportsmanship following Tuesday night’s skirmish that saw Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark get poked in the eye and shoved to the ground in a game against the Connecticut Sun.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for needle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
These kinds of eyewear innovations move the needle forward while creating functional and fashionable eyewear.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The question, however, is whether the steps will move the needle for Washington – and whether the two sides will be able to cooperate on the issue if their overall relations remain rocky.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Verb
Lorde’s singing voice is often doubled throughout the album, but here the other voices occasionally peel off and sing over and against her, sometimes needling, sometimes supporting.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Tennis legend Chris Evert needled WNBA players for lack of sportsmanship following Tuesday night’s skirmish that saw Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark get poked in the eye and shoved to the ground in a game against the Connecticut Sun.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for needle
Cite this Entry
“Needle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needle. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
needle
1 of 2 noun
nee·dle
ˈnēd-ᵊl 
1
a
: a small slender usually steel instrument that has an eye for thread or surgical sutures at one end and is used for sewing
b
: any of various devices for carrying thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting)
c
: a slender hollow usually stainless steel instrument by which material is put into or taken from the body through the skin
d
: an extremely thin solid usually stainless steel instrument used in acupuncture and inserted through the skin
2
a
: a slender bar of magnetized steel that is free to turn (as in a compass) to show the direction of a magnetic field
b
: a slender pointer on a dial
3
a
: a slender pointed object (as a pointed crystal or an obelisk)
b
: a leaf (as of a pine) shaped like a needle
4
: a slender piece of jewel or steel with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to transmit vibrations from the record
needle
2 of 2 verb
needled; needling
ˈnēd-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
2
: to cause to take action by repeated stinging remarks
Medical Definition
needle
1 of 2 noun
nee·dle
ˈnēd-ᵊl
1
: a small slender usually steel instrument designed to carry sutures when sewing tissues in surgery
2
: a slender hollow instrument for introducing material into or removing material from the body parenterally
needle
2 of 2 transitive verb
needled; needling
ˈnēd-liŋ, -ᵊl-iŋ
: to puncture, operate on, or inject with a needle
needling a cataract
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