WordLens

staple

1 of 3noun
/ˈsteɪpəl/
Forms:staples
1

an essential item that is regularly used or needed

  • Rice is a staple in many Asian diets.
  • In many regions, maize is the primary staple.
  • Potatoes have long been a staple of European diets.
  • During the winter, people stock up on staples like flour and sugar.
  • Bread and butter were once considered staples of a simple meal.
2

a short, fine fiber that is used to make yarn or fabric

  • Cotton is a common staple used in textile production.
  • Wool staple is often spun into soft yarn.
  • The quality of the staple determines the texture of the fabric.
  • The textile factory processes staple fibers into threads.
  • Silk is considered a luxury staple in fabric production.
3

a small metal fastener used to attach papers together

  • He used a staple to secure the contract pages.
  • The staple held the papers neatly in a stack.
  • The stapler jammed when it couldn't push the staple through.
  • She removed the staple to rearrange the documents.
  • A staple was the perfect solution for keeping the report intact.
Synonyms:
4

a small U-shaped metal fastener used to hold cables or wires in place

  • He used a staple to secure the electrical cable to the wall.
  • The technician hammered a staple over the wire to keep it from moving.
  • A loose staple caused the cable to hang down.
  • The staples held the network cables neatly along the baseboard.
  • She replaced a broken staple to keep the wiring organized.
5

a basic raw material or product that is regularly used in manufacturing or production

  • Cotton is a staple in the textile industry.
  • Wheat is a staple used in flour production.
  • The factory depends on steel as a staple for manufacturing.
  • Water is a staple for agriculture and farming.
6

a primary or essential source of supply or resource

  • The local grocery store is a staple for everyday needs.
  • The factory is a staple of the town's economy.
  • Freshwater is a staple of life in every community.
  • The internet has become a staple for modern communication.
  • The library serves as a staple for educational resources.