needle

1 of 2

noun

nee·​dle ˈnē-dᵊl 

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

needlelike

ˈnē-dᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective

Illustration of needle

• 1 suture
• 2 sewing
• 3 knitting

needle

2 of 2

verb

needled; needling

ˈnēd-liŋ,

ˈnē-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle

2

a

: tease, torment

b

: to incite to action by repeated gibes

needled the boy into a fight

intransitive verb

: sew, embroider

needler

ˈnēd-lər

ˈnē-dᵊl-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• hype [slang]
• hypodermic
• hypodermic needle
• hypodermic syringe
• syringe

Verb

• bait
• hassle
• haze
• heckle
• ride
• taunt
• tease

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

Let go of underperforming products, unnecessary subscriptions, and tasks that don’t move the needle. —Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Anything that means smaller and/or fewer needles gets a nod from me. —New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2025

Verb

The interaction between Briony and Jamie starts off amiably, with Jamie needling Briony for her posh affectations. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025

Plagued by suspicious neighbors and needling strangers, tormented by memories of better times and dreams of what could have been, the Millers are getting by on the edge of a knife. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nedle, from Old English nǣdl; akin to Old High German nādala needle, nājan to sew, Latin nēre to spin, Greek nēn

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1715, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing needle

• Adam's needle
• a needle in a haystack
• darning needle
• devil's darning needle
• hypodermic needle
• knitting needle
• needle-nose pliers

Rhymes for needle

• bactericidal
• beadle
• riedel
• treadle
• wheedle

Kids 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

needlelike

ˈnēd-ᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective

needle

2 of 2 verb

needled; needling ˈnēd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: tease entry 1 sense 2a, taunt

2

: to cause to take action by repeated stinging remarks

needler

ˈnēd-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

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