tweezers

noun

twee·​zers ˈtwē-zərz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: any of various small metal instruments that are usually held between the thumb and index finger, are used for plucking, holding, or manipulating, and consist of two legs joined at one end

Examples of tweezers in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aside from the main compartment, a zippered mesh pocket on the lid is perfect for storing contact lenses, tweezers, medicine, and other small necessities. —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Feb. 2023

Set up a mani-pedi station at a table in the dining or living room, and stock it with the necessities: polish colors, base coats, top coats, tweezers, nail files, nail cutters, cuticle pushers, and cuticle scissors. —Leah Campano, Seventeen, 30 Jan. 2023

Microscopic tractor beams, better known as optical tweezers, can pull atoms and nanoparticles for use in medicine and research. —Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2023

Optical tweezers were invented by the physicist Arthur Ashkin at the Bell Laboratories in New Jersey during the early 1970s. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English tweeze, noun, etui, short for obsolete English etweese, from plural of obsolete English etwee, from French étui

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tweezers

plural noun

twee·​zers ˈtwē-zərz 

: a small instrument that is used like pincers in grasping or pulling something

Medical Definition

tweezers

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

twee·​zers ˈtwē-zərz 

: any of various small metal instruments that are usually held between the thumb and index finger, are used for plucking, holding, or manipulating, and consist of two legs joined at one end