straw Hear it!

straw definition

straw (strô)

noun

  1. hollow stalks or stems of grain after threshing, collectively: used for fodder, for bedding, for making hats, etc.
  2. a single one of such stalks
  3. such a stalk or, now esp., a tube of waxed paper, plastic, etc., used for sucking beverages
  4. something, as a hat, made of straw
  5. something of little or no value; worthless trifle
  6. straw man (sense )
  7. see last straw

Etymology: ME stra < OE streaw, akin to streawian: see strew

adjective

  1. straw-colored; yellowish
  2. made of straw
  3. of little or no value or significance; worthless; meaningless

Related Forms:

straw Idioms

a straw in the wind

an indication of what may happen

grasp (or clutch or catch) at a straw (or straws)

to try any measure, however unlikely, that offers even the least hope

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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