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Added 9 October 2026

staple

/ˈsteɪ.pəl/ noun

Latin root: stapula Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about staple at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

(usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant.
A natural fiber (raw cotton, wool, hemp, flax) that can be twisted to form yarn.
staple fibers vary widely in length
Material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing.

verb

Secure or fasten with a staple or staples.
staple the papers together

adjective

Necessary or important, especially regarding food or commodities.
wheat is a staple crop

Origin

From Middle English staple, from Anglo-Norman estaple, Old French estaple (“market, (trading) post”), from Late Latin stapula, from Frankish *stapul, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *stapulaz (“post”), from Proto-Indo-European *stebʰ- (“post, stem”). Compare staff. Doublet of étape and etymology 2.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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