Needle Thread Piece ˈniːdl Small Thin Point End

• a needle and thread
• the eye (= hole) of a needle
• can you thread this needle?
• a packet of small needles

needle

1. a small thin piece of steel that you use for sewing, with a point at one end and a hole for the thread at the other
• SEE ALSO pins and needles
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/pins-and-needles
• a needle and thread
• the eye (= hole) of a needle
• Can you thread this needle?
• a packet of small needles

Extra Examples

• She sewed it on with needle and thread.
• The needle went in easily.
• Thread the needle with a different coloured silk.
2. a long thin piece of plastic or metal with a point at one end that you use for knitting. You usually use two together.
• Vera's knitting needles clicked away.
• a circular needle
• a needle holding two stitches
3. a very thin, pointed piece of steel used on the end of a syringe for putting a drug into somebody’s body, or for taking blood out of it
• a hypodermic needle
• a needle inserted into the abdomen
• Using dirty needles was a significant factor in the spread of the disease.

Extra Examples

• He believes that needle exchange schemes encourage drug addiction.
• He saw her stick a needle into her arm.
• She winced when she felt the needle pierce her skin.
• needle exchange programs
• the dangers of sharing needles
• A long needle is used to take a sample of the tumour.
4. a thin piece of metal on a scientific instrument that moves to point to the correct measurement or direction
• The compass needle was pointing north.

Extra Examples

• The needle moved away from the wind.
• Wait until the needle settles and is pointing in one direction.
5. the thin, hard, pointed leaf of a pine tree
• A soft blanket of pine needles covered the forest floor.
6. the very small pointed piece of metal that touches a record that is being played in order to produce the sound
• SYNONYM stylus
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/stylus
• She lowered the needle onto the record.
• The gramophone needle stuck in a groove.
7. (to be) very anxious or excited while you are waiting to find out something or see what will happen
• I've been on pins and needles all week waiting for the results.
8. a thing that is almost impossible to find
• Searching for one man in this city is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Word Origin

• Old English nǣdl, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch naald and German Nadel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin nere ‘to spin’ and Greek nēma ‘thread’.