twine

1 of 3

noun

1
: a strong string of two or more strands twisted together
2
archaic : a twined or interlaced part or object
3
archaic : an act of twining, interlacing, or embracing
twiny adjective

twine

2 of 3

verb (1)

twined; twining

transitive verb

1
a
: to twist together
b
: to form by twisting : weave
2
a
: interlace
the girl twined her handsJohn Buchan
b
: to cause to encircle or enfold something
c
: to cause to be encircled

intransitive verb

1
: to coil about a support
2
: to stretch or move in a sinuous manner : meander
the river twines through the valley
twiner noun

twine

3 of 3

verb (2)

twined; twining

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland : to cause (one) to lose possession : deprive
twined him of his noseJ. C. Ransom

intransitive verb

chiefly Scotland : part
you and me must twineR. L. Stevenson

Examples of twine in a Sentence

Noun The package was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. a strong piece of twine
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Editor’s note: For 3 is our weekly look at basketball news from USD, UC San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene ... plus whatever else tickles the twine. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 This building was a five-story former twine and cordage warehouse. M.h. Miller Miranda Barnes, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Before covering the tree, tie the branches with a rope or twine to help protect the primary growth. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2024 The twine used to secure the tufting is simply pulled back and secured. Vicki Payne, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Use rubber bands or twine to hold the bundled fabric in place. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024 Editor’s note: Welcome to Ivan Carter for 3, a weekly look at basketball news from USD, UC San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene ... plus whatever else tickles the twine. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2023 Vines of flowers twine over shoulders and across bodices with a naturalistic grace; pale peach ostrich feathers are manipulated into delicate wisps cinched with small grosgrain bows. Rachel Tashjian, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023 To make her versions, Nicholson encases the roots of hellebores in damp topsoil and wraps the dirt in moss, then in twine, often hanging them from the rafters of her workshop. Jenny Comita, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Verb
In a dappled forest, vines twine up trees, reaching ever upward and away from the dark. Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 Some, such as climbing roses, need to be physically attached to structures, while others, such as morning glories, are twining and will loop themselves around trellis openings. Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2024 Hang your finished ornaments from loops of bakers twine or yarn. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 Last night, they were flanked by older, more obviously scarred Republicans, many of whom had twined their fates with Trump earlier in his history and come to regret it. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023 The carport is where Marzan sits cross-legged for hours looping coconut coir, making nets and twining. Sarah Sekula, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2023 Over the past 25 years, Marzan has perfected multiple fiber-weaving techniques, including plaiting, twining, netting and cord-making. Sarah Sekula, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2023 On the surface, Nora is a dizzy, much indulged wife, skilled at twining Torvald around her finger. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2023 Plant these wonderful drought tolerant garden vines: - Butterfly vine (Mascagnia ciliatum) is a beautiful drought tolerant, twining evergreen that grows to 20 feet in length. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twine.' 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

Middle English twin, from Old English twīn; akin to Middle Dutch twijn twine, Old English twā two

Verb (2)

alteration of Scots twin, from Middle English twinnen, from twin double

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1722, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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

Dictionary Entries Near twine

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

twine

1 of 2 noun
: a string made of two or more strands twisted together

twine

2 of 2 verb
twined; twining
1
a
: to twist together
b
2
: to coil or cause to coil around a support

More from Merriam-Webster on twine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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