stick

1 of 4

noun (1)

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
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
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
6
a
b
: a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person
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
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
13
a
: punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation
choosing between the carrot and the stick
b
British : criticism, abuse
sticklike adjective

Illustration of stick

Illustration of stick
  • a lacrosse
  • b ice hockey
  • c field hockey

stick

2 of 4

verb (1)

sticked; sticking; sticks

transitive verb

: to hit or propel (something, such as a hockey puck) with a stick

stick

3 of 4

verb (2)

stuck ˈstək How to pronounce stick (audio) ; sticking

transitive verb

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
3
a
: to fasten by thrusting in
b
: impale
c
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
8
a
: to halt the movement or action of
b
9
a
b
: to saddle with something disadvantageous or disagreeable
is still stuck with that lousy car
10
: to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics

intransitive verb

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
4
a
b
: to find oneself baffled
c
: to be unable to proceed
5

stick

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
: a thrust with a pointed instrument : stab
2
a
: delay, stop
3
: adhesive quality or substance
Phrases
stick in one's craw
: to irritate, nag at, or obsess one
stick it to
: to treat harshly or unfairly
stick one's neck out
: to make oneself vulnerable by taking a risk
stick to one's guns
: to maintain one's position especially in face of opposition
stuck on
: infatuated with
Choose the Right Synonym for stick

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached.

stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

Examples of stick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This xylophone will also help them practice grasping and holding the non-slip sticks and improve their dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Maya Polton, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024 This creamy versatile stick effortlessly glides onto both your cheekbones and lips—nothing less is expected, given that the brand was started by esteemed makeup artist Gucci Westman. Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Playing tag, running around the trees, building log cabins with sticks, were a few memories Karazissis remembers. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 The puck bounced off the ice and then off the blade of Barkov’s stick. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 During the altercation, Gotch reportedly chased one teen with a stick and grabbed another teen by the hair. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2024 To finish out the look, Smith wore a green tartan headpiece and walked with a large stick. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024 The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommends scraping those off with a stick or some other tool and stepping on them to make sure the eggs don’t hatch. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Not that surprising, since the brand also makes one of the best cordless stick vacuums on the market. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
And Trevor likely will be the only one that sticks. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 After two games, the answer is H-E-double hockey sticks no. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2024 The traditional way of dealing with this is to stick all the critical components in a sealed titanium tube that can maintain ambient pressure and keep moisture out. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2024 Most companies have figured out that online payments are better for all concerned and are trying to encourage their use, rather than sticking consumers with junk fees for using this option. Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 These lightweight boots allow for maximum agility without sacrificing stability and are an excellent all-around boot for people who stick mostly to hiking but aren’t opposed to sections of running. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024 The nascent 49ers fans declaring their unlikely allegiance are sticking it to Taylor Swift, the pop star dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who will be facing off against the 49ers on Sunday. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 The app has a massive lead, but if TikTok doesn’t stick the landing, its competitors are ready to pounce. Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2024 By Doug George People After nearly closing, Black bookstores Semicolon and Da Book Joint have been able to pivot and ‘stick it out’ By Darcel Rockett The Theater Loop Actress Dana Delany corresponded with a fan on Twitter. Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English stik, from Old English sticca; akin to Old Norse stik stick, Old English stician to stick

Verb (2)

Middle English stikken, from Old English stician; akin to Old High German sticken to prick, Latin instigare to urge on, goad, Greek stizein to tattoo

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1937, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stick was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stick

Cite this Entry

“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stick. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stick

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on stick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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