: 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)
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
4
a
: 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
6
a
: 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
Examples of staple in a Sentence
Verb
I stapled the pages in the upper left corner.
Noun (2)
reading is the very staple of a person's education
Adjective
such staple items as flour and sugar
That's a staple plot in mystery novels.
staple crops like wheat, rice, or sugarcane
Recent Examples on the Web
Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Not only is her pick from the beloved legacy brand a staple in vanities everywhere, but the shade itself has its share of avid fans.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
To recreate the rickety window dressing, construct a frame of white lattice strips, cut boards from veneer paneling, then staple them at angles into the frame.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Also consider buying staple items that stretch meals, such as rice and beans, or plan for 'one dish' meals that are filling, such as spaghetti and meat sauce, chili, soups, or casseroles.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for staple
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Noun
Koolaburra by Ugg Koola Short Fashion Boot With more than 10,000 perfect ratings, these Koolaburra by Ugg boots are a footwear staple for droves of shoppers.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Not only is her pick from the beloved legacy brand a staple in vanities everywhere, but the shade itself has its share of avid fans.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
One had to have his head stapled.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
To recreate the rickety window dressing, construct a frame of white lattice strips, cut boards from veneer paneling, then staple them at angles into the frame.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The staple Southern ingredient gives the dessert a rich flavor and a pretty orange hue.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Also consider buying staple items that stretch meals, such as rice and beans, or plan for 'one dish' meals that are filling, such as spaghetti and meat sauce, chili, soups, or casseroles.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for staple
Cite this Entry
“Staple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staple. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
staple
1 of 4 noun
sta·ple
ˈstā-pəl 
: a usually U-shaped fastener: as
a
: a piece of metal with sharp points to be driven into a surface to hold something (as a hook, rope, or wire)
b
: a piece of thin wire that is driven through papers and bent over at the ends to fasten them together or driven through thin material to fasten it to something else
c
: a usually metal surgical fastener used to hold layers of tissue together (as in the closing of a wound)
staple
3 of 4 noun1
: a chief product of business or farming of a place
2
a
: something in widespread and constant use or demand
b
: the chief part of something
potatoes are the staple of their diet
3
4
: textile fiber (as wool or rayon) suitable for spinning into yarn
staple
4 of 4 adjective1
: 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 entry 1, chief
bamboo is the staple diet of the panda
Etymology
Noun
Old English stapol "post"
Noun
Middle English staple "a major market town, place for exporting"; of Dutch origin
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