Meaning & Definition of word "Staple"

Staple

/ˈsteɪ.pəl/

noun:

  • 1. A basic item or necessity that is commonly used or consumed.
    • Example: Rice is a staple food in many countries around the world.
  • 2. A metal or plastic fastener used to hold sheets of paper together.
    • Example: She used a stapler to attach the document with a staple.
  • 3. A principal product or commodity of a given region.
    • Example: Cotton has been a staple of the economy in the southern United States.

verb:

  • 1. To fasten or attach using a staple.
    • Example: He will staple the pages together before submitting the report.
  • 2. To supply or provide with essential goods, often food.
    • Example: The farmer staples the market with fresh vegetables every season.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French 'estaple', meaning a market or trade center.

Common Phrases and Expressions

staple diet:

The main food eaten regularly in a particular region.

staple goods:

Essential products used regularly.

Related Words

stapler:

A device used to fasten papers together with staples.

stapling:

The process of fastening papers together with staples.

Slang Meanings of staple

Meaning: A common or essential item in one's life.

Example Sentence: My phone is a staple in my daily routine.

Meaning: Something that is frequently utilized.

Example Sentence: Streaming services are a staple for entertainment nowadays.