Illustration of stick
- a lacrosse
- b ice hockey
- c field hockey
1
: a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: such as
a
: a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch
b
: a cut or broken branch or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material
2
a
: a long slender piece of wood or metal: such as
(1)
: a club or staff used as a weapon
(2)
b
: an implement used for striking or propelling an object in a game
c
: something used to force compliance
d
: a baton symbolizing an office or dignity
also
: a person entitled to bear such a baton
3
: a piece of the materials composing something (such as a building)
4
: any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: such as
a
b
: an airplane lever operating the elevators and ailerons
c
: the gearshift lever of an automobile
5
: something prepared (as by cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and slender often cylindrical form
a stick of candy
a stick of butter
7
sticks plural
: remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated : boondocks
8
: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick
celery sticks
9
: mast entry 1 sense 1
also
: yard entry 1 sense 4
10
: a piece of furniture
11
a
: a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing plane in a series across a target
b
: a number of parachutists dropping together
12
slang
: a marijuana cigarette
sticked; sticking; sticks
: to hit or propel (something, such as a hockey puck) with a stick
stuck
ˈstək 
; sticking
; sticking
1
a
: to pierce with something pointed : stab
b
: to kill by piercing
2
: to push or thrust so as or as if to pierce
4
: to put or set in a specified place or position
5
: to furnish with things fastened on by or as if by piercing
6
: to attach by or as if by causing to adhere to a surface
7
a
: to compel to pay especially by trickery
got stuck with the bar bill
b
9
10
: to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics
1
: to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:
a
: to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end
b
: to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing or plastering
stuck in the mud
2
a
: to remain in a place, situation, or environment
b
: to hold fast or adhere resolutely : cling
she stuck to her story
c
: to remain effective
d
: to keep close in a chase or competition
3
: to become blocked, wedged, or jammed
Examples of stick in a Sentence
Noun (1)
grew up in the sticks and is used to traveling miles just to get a loaf of bread
Verb (2)
those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems
you can stick that box in the corner until I figure out where to put everything
could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it
she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s the only way adoption sticks.
—Amit S Phadnis, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Lighter scratches only touch the surface while moderate to deep scratches can usually be felt by sticking your fingernail in the slit to determine how deep the scratch really is.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stick
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
There are bold new innovations, like a setting spray that’s basically a finishing powder in a bottle, and a three-in-one foundation stick that also hydrates and primes.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s the only way adoption sticks.
—Amit S Phadnis, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ruud made a big push at the start of the second set, looking to basically stick a fork in the match by winning the 28-year-old American’s initial service game.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Lighter scratches only touch the surface while moderate to deep scratches can usually be felt by sticking your fingernail in the slit to determine how deep the scratch really is.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stick
Cite this Entry
“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stick. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stick
1 of 2 noun1
: a cut or broken branch of twig especially when dry and dead
2
: a long slender piece of wood or metal: as
a
: a club or staff used as a weapon
3
: something used for striking or moving an object in a game
4
: something like a stick in shape or use
a stick of dynamite
5
: something prepared in a long and slender form
carrot sticks
a stick of butter
6
: a person who is dull or lifeless
7
plural
: remote usually rural districts
way out in the sticks
stick
2 of 2 verb
stuck
ˈstək
; sticking
1
a
: to stab with something pointed : pierce
b
: to kill by piercing
2
: to cause to penetrate
stuck a needle in my finger
3
a
: to fasten by pushing in : attach
stuck a flower in my buttonhole
b
: to push out, up, or under
stuck out my hand
4
: to put or set in a specified place or position
stuck the cap on my head
5
: to cling to a surface
snowflakes stuck on the windowpane
6
a
: to bring to a halt : prevent the movement or action of
the car got stuck in traffic
b
: baffle entry 1 sense 1, stump
got stuck on the first problem
7
b
: to burden with something disagreeable
stuck with the job of cleaning up
8
: to become fixed in place by or as if by gluing
his foot stuck in the mud
9
a
: to remain in a place, situation, or environment
decided to stick where he was
b
: to hold to something tightly : cling
she stuck to her story
10
: to become blocked or jammed
the desk drawer always sticks
11
: to be unable to proceed (as through fear or conscience)
Etymology
Noun
Old English sticca
Verb
Old English stician
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