needles

13 definitions • 10 examples

a thin metal pin, used in sewing, that is pointed at one end and has a hole called an eye at the other end for thread:

a needle and thread

Here, your eyes are better than mine - could you thread (= put thread through) this needle for me?

a very thin, hollow, pointed piece of metal that is connected to a syringe and used to take blood from the body or to put drugs or medicine in

on a compass or measuring device, the thin moving part that points in a particular direction or points to a particular measurement:

The needle on a compass always points to magnetic north.

a thin, hard, pointed leaf of a pine tree:

pine needles

the part of a record player that touches the record as it turns around, usually made of a very hard material, such as a diamond:

It sounds like the needle on your record player needs to be replaced.

to annoy someone, especially by repeated criticism:

His mother was always needling him about getting a job.

a thin, solid, metal piece with a sharp point at one end, esp. one used for sewing that has a hole to hold thread:

Can you thread this needle for me?

A needle is also a small stick with a point or hook, used to make stitches:

knitting needles

A needle is also a thin metal tube with a sharp, pointed end, used to put a liquid, such as a medicine, into the body or to remove a liquid, such as blood, from the body.

the thin, moving part on a compass (= device for finding direction) or measuring instrument that points in a particular direction or to a particular value

one of the thin, stiff, green leaves of some evergreen trees:

pine needles

to purposely annoy someone by making critical remarks or jokes:

I hate to be needled about my weight.