Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » stick

stick

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

A stick is a piece of a branch that has fallen from a tree or a piece of wood that has been fashioned into something such as a cane, a holder for a popsicle or a tool used in sporting games. (noun)

An example of a stick is a fallen branch.
An example of a stick is a cane.
An example of a stick is a popsicle holder.
An example of a stick is the sporting equipment used to hit a hockey puck.

To stick is to poke someone with something sharp or to put something somewhere without giving much thought to it. (verb)

An example of stick is when you prick someone with a pin.
An example of stick is when you carelessly put a book on a shelf.

See stick in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a long, usually slender piece of wood; specif.,
1. a twig or small branch broken off or cut off, esp. a dead and dry one
2. a tree branch of any size, used for fuel, etc.
3. a long, slender, and usually tapering piece of wood shaped for a specific purpose, as a wand, staff, club, baton, cane, rod, etc.
a stalk, as of celery
something shaped like a stick; sticklike piece: a stick of chewing gum
a separate item; article: every stick of furniture
an implement used for striking a ball, puck, etc.: a hockey stick
something made of sticks, as a racing hurdle
a sticking, as with a pointed weapon; stab
anything, as a threat, used in compelling another
stick shift
a number of bombs, parachutists, etc. dropped from the air in such a way as to fall in a line across a target area
Archaic a stoppage, delay, or obstacle
Informal a dull, stupid, or spiritless person
☆ Slang a marijuana cigarette
Aeron. joystick (sense )
Naut. a mast or a part of a mast
Printing a composing stick or its contents

transitive verb stuck, sticked, sticking

to pierce or puncture, as with a pointed instrument
to kill by piercing; stab
to pierce something with (a knife, pin, etc.)
to thrust or push (in, into, out, etc.): to stick one's finger into a hole
to set with piercing objects: a cushion stuck with pins
1. to fasten or attach as by gluing, pinning, etc.: to stick a poster on a wall
2. to decorate with things fastened in this way
1. to transfix or impale
2. to impale (insect specimens, etc.), as on a pin, and mount for exhibit
to obstruct, entangle, bog down, etc.; also, to detain, delay, etc.: usually used in the passive: the wheels were stuck; we were stuck in town
1. to prop (a vine, etc.) with a stick or sticks
2. Printing to set type in a composing stick
Informal to place; put; set
Informal to make sticky by smearing
Informal to puzzle; baffle: to be stuck by a question
Slang
1. to make pay, often exorbitantly
2. to impose a disagreeable task, burden, expense, etc. upon
3. to cheat or defraud
Chiefly Brit., Informal to endure or tolerate

intransitive verb

to be or remain fixed or embedded by a pointed end, as a nail, etc.
to be or remain attached by adhesion; adhere; cleave
1. to remain in the same place; stay; abide: they stick at home
2. to remain fixed in the memory
3. to remain in effect: to make the charges stick
to remain in close association; be fixed; cling: friends stick together; the nickname stuck
to keep close: to stick to a trail
to persevere; persist: to stick at a job
to remain firm and resolute; endure: they stuck through thick and thin
to become fixed, blocked, lodged, etc. as by an obstacle; specif.,
1. to become embedded and immovable: a shoe stuck in the mud
2. to become unworkable; jam: the gears stuck
3. to become stopped or delayed; come to a standstill: a bill stuck in committee
to be puzzled
to be reluctant; hesitate; scruple: a person who will stick at nothing
to protrude, project, or extend (out, up, through, etc.)

See stick in American Heritage Dictionary 4

stick

noun

A long slender piece of wood, especially:
a. A branch or stem cut from a tree or shrub.
b. A piece of wood, such as a tree branch, that is used for fuel, cut for lumber, or shaped for a specific purpose.
c. A wand, staff, baton, or rod.
d. Sports & Games Any of various implements shaped like a rod and used in play: a hockey stick.
A walking stick; a cane.
Something slender and often cylindrical in form: a stick of dynamite.
Slang A marijuana cigarette.
a. The control device of an aircraft that operates the elevators and ailerons.
b. Informal A stick shift.
Nautical A mast or a part of a mast.
Printing
a. A composing stick.
b. A stickful.
a. A group of bombs released to fall across an enemy target in a straight row.
b. Slang A group of paratroopers exiting an aircraft in succession.
A timber tree.
Informal A piece of furniture.
A poke, thrust, or stab with a stick or similar object: a stick in the ribs.
A threatened penalty: using both a carrot and a stick to keep allies in line.
The condition or power of adhering: a glue with plenty of stick.
sticks Informal
a. A remote area; backwoods: moved to the sticks.
b. A city or town regarded as dull or unsophisticated.
Informal A person regarded as stiff, boring, or spiritless.
Archaic A difficulty or obstacle; a delay.

verb stuck stuck (stŭk), sticking stick·ing, sticks

verb, transitive

To pierce, puncture, or penetrate with a pointed instrument.
To kill by piercing.
To thrust or push (a pointed instrument) into or through another object.
To fasten into place by forcing an end or point into something: stick a hook on the wall.
To fasten or attach with or as if with pins, nails, or similar devices.
To fasten or attach with an adhesive material, such as glue or tape.
To cover or decorate with objects piercing the surface.
To fix, impale, or transfix on a pointed object: stick an olive on a toothpick.
To put, thrust, or push: stuck a flower in his buttonhole.
To detain or delay.
past tense and past participle sticked sticked (stĭkt) To prop (a plant) with sticks or brush on which to grow.
past tense and past participle sticked sticked Printing To set (type) in a composing stick.
Informal To confuse, baffle, or puzzle: Sometimes even simple questions stick me.
To cover or smear with something sticky.
Informal To put blame or responsibility on; burden: stuck me with the bill.
Slang To defraud or cheat: The dealer stuck me with shoddy merchandise.

verb, intransitive

To be or become fixed or embedded in place by having the point thrust in.
To become or remain attached or in close association by or as if by adhesion; cling: stick together in a crowd.
a. To remain firm, determined, or resolute: stuck to basic principles.
b. To remain loyal or faithful: stuck by her through hard times.
c. To persist or endure: a bad name that has stuck.
To scruple or hesitate: She sticks at nothing—no matter how difficult.
To become fixed, blocked, checked, or obstructed: The drawer stuck and would not open.
To project or protrude: hair sticking out on his head.
Sports To throw a jab in boxing.

Phrasal Verbs: stick around Informal To remain; linger. stick out To be prominent. Informal To put up with: stick out a bad situation. stick up To rob, especially at gunpoint.

Origin: Middle English stikke, from Old English sticca; see steig- in Indo-European roots.

Learn more about stick

» stick synonyms

» stick computer definition

» stick phrase meanings

» stick sentence examples

» stick quote examples

» stick images

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD

Feedback