1
a
: stalks of grain after threshing
broadly
: dry stalky plant residue used like grain straw (as for bedding or packing)
b
: a natural or artificial heavy fiber used for weaving, plaiting, or braiding
2
: a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass
3
a(1)
: something of small worth or significance
(2)
: something too insubstantial to provide support or help in a desperate situation
clutching at straws
b
4
a
: something (such as a hat) made of straw
b
: a tube (as of paper, plastic, or glass) for sucking up a beverage
5
1
: made of straw
a straw hat
2
: of, relating to, or used for straw
a straw barn
3
: of the color of straw : pale yellow in color
straw hair
4
: of little or no value : worthless
5
: of, relating to, resembling, or being a straw man
6
: of, relating to, or concerned with the discovery of preferences by means of a straw vote
Synonyms
Examples of straw in a Sentence
Noun
He was chewing on a straw.
He asked for a straw for his iced tea.
She drank the juice through a straw.
Adjective
the cheese maker told us that the best Parmesan cheeses are straw, not white, in color
Recent Examples on the Web
Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Many feel the Labour Party government’s tax change, part of an effort to raise billions of pounds to fund public services, is the last straw.
—Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2024
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Inside the container is straw, alfalfa, water and vegetables, and electronic equipment will monitor the temperature and allow technicians to even talk to the animal.
—Alicia Fernández, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for straw 
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Noun
For Toph, Dave’s effort to influence the project was a final straw.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Many feel the Labour Party government’s tax change, part of an effort to raise billions of pounds to fund public services, is the last straw.
—Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Their 2021 Piere Sauvignon Blanc is straw colored with aromas of chalk, wet river stones, and citrus blossoms.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Inside the container is straw, alfalfa, water and vegetables, and electronic equipment will monitor the temperature and allow technicians to even talk to the animal.
—Alicia Fernández, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for straw
Articles Related to straw
Dictionary Entries Near straw
Cite this Entry
“Straw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straw. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
straw
1 of 2 noun1
a
: stalks of grain after threshing
also
: any dry stalky plant part used like grain straw (as for bedding or in packing)
pine straw
b
: a natural or artificial fiber used for weaving or braiding
2
: a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass
3
a
: something of small worth or importance
not worth a straw
b
: something too weak to provide help in a desperate situation
clutch at any straw in a crisis
4
: a tube usually of plastic for sucking up a beverage
straw
2 of 2 adjective1
: made of straw
a straw hat
2
: of the pale yellow color of straw
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