noun

staple

staple, main product, basic food

I need some staples for the stapler.

I need some staples for the stapler.

Rice is a staple food in many countries.

Rice is a staple food in many countries.

Oil is the country's main staple.

Oil is the country's main staple.

a staple for a stapler. I need some staples for the stapler.

a staple food/product. Rice is a staple food in many countries.

Synonyms: (fastener) clip, pin; (main) principal, basic

From Old English 'stapol' meaning 'post, pillar'. This evolved to mean a main commodity sold at a market post, and later, a U-shaped fastener resembling a post.

A 'staple' food is a 'pillar' of a diet. A metal 'staple' acts as a small pillar to hold papers together.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.