Haystack

/ˈheɪˌstæk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A stack or pile of hay, typically formed by gathering together cut hay for storage.

The farmer built a large haystack to store the cured hay for the winter.

A place or situation where something is hidden or buried, often referring to something difficult to find.

Looking for my missing earring in this messy room feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Figuratively, it refers to an overwhelming task of locating something among a vast quantity of items.

With so many job applicants, finding the right candidate felt like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Middle English, from 'hay' + 'stack' (similar to the Old English 'hæg' and 'staca').

needle in a haystack

An impossibly difficult task to find something in a large amount of clutter.

bigger than a haystack

Referring to something that is much larger than a common object.

as hidden as a needle in a haystack

Used to describe something that is very hard to find.

hay

Dried grass that is used as animal fodder.

stack

A pile or heap of items, especially neatly arranged.

Searching for something that is almost impossible to find.

Trying to locate the functions among all this paperwork is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Finding something valuable in a large and disorganized collection.

Her old photos were all over the place—like looking for treasure in a haystack!