twine

1 of 3

noun

1
: a strong string of two or more strands twisted together
2
archaic : a twined or interlaced part or object
3
archaic : an act of twining, interlacing, or embracing
twiny adjective

twine

2 of 3

verb (1)

twined; twining

transitive verb

1
a
: to twist together
b
: to form by twisting : weave
2
a
: interlace
the girl twined her handsJohn Buchan
b
: to cause to encircle or enfold something
c
: to cause to be encircled

intransitive verb

1
: to coil about a support
2
: to stretch or move in a sinuous manner : meander
the river twines through the valley
twiner noun

twine

3 of 3

verb (2)

twined; twining

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland : to cause (one) to lose possession : deprive
twined him of his noseJ. C. Ransom

intransitive verb

chiefly Scotland : part
you and me must twineR. L. Stevenson

Examples of twine in a Sentence

Noun The package was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. a strong piece of twine Verb (1) the snake silently twined around the tree trunk
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The touch was perfection, and the ball went through the twine just as the buzzer sounded, giving us our first buzzer-beater in March Madness this year. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025 Mann is also accused of tying the child’s hands with twine after sitting on the alleged victim's back. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 24 July 2024
Verb
Nyoni wisely subtitles the whole film so that even non-Zambians can be immersed in this twining stream of words without worrying too much about the switching currents. Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025 Think tall plants with large, dramatic leaves and twining vines that can climb up a shelf or spill out of a container. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for twine

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English twin, from Old English twīn; akin to Middle Dutch twijn twine, Old English twā two

Verb (2)

alteration of Scots twin, from Middle English twinnen, from twin double

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1722, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of twine was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Twine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twine. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

twine

1 of 2 noun
: a string made of two or more strands twisted together

twine

2 of 2 verb
twined; twining
1
a
: to twist together
b
2
: to coil or cause to coil around a support

More from Merriam-Webster on twine

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