toothpick

noun

tooth·​pick ˈtüth-ˌpik 

: a pointed instrument (such as a slender tapering piece of wood) for removing food particles lodged between the teeth

Examples of toothpick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bake casserole: Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center of topping comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes, loosely covering with foil after 30 minutes. —Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025

Bake for 20-24 minutes, until set and a toothpick comes out cleanly. —The Enquirer, 3 Jan. 2025

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. —The Tennessean, 27 Dec. 2024

About 1 foot from the shoot tip, make a 1 to 2 inch incision along the stem and through a bud to create a wedge; prop the wedge open with a sliver of wood such as a toothpick. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

toothpick

noun

tooth·​pick -ˌpik 

: a pointed instrument (as a thin piece of wood) for removing substances caught between the teeth

Medical Definition

toothpick

noun

tooth·​pick -ˌpik 

: a pointed instrument (as a slender tapering piece of wood) used for removing food particles lodged between the teeth