Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Necessary, important, or principal: Describes something that is basic, essential, or forms the main part of something, especially regarding food or commodities.

2. Noun:

   • A basic or essential item: A necessary commodity for which demand is constant, often referring to food or raw materials.
   • A main element or component: The primary or most important part of something.
   • A U-shaped metal fastener: A short length of U-shaped wire used to fasten sheets of paper together or to attach objects to a surface.
   • A raw material fiber: A natural fiber (like cotton or wool) in its raw state, classified by its length and quality for making yarn.

3. Verb:

   • To fasten with a staple: To secure or attach something using a U-shaped metal fastener.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • Rice is a staple food for billions of people.
  • The staple industries of the region are mining and forestry.

• Noun (Essential Item):

  • Flour and sugar are kitchen staples.
  • Trust and communication are the staples of a good relationship.

• Noun (Fastener):

  • Please use a staple to attach these documents.
  • The cable was fixed to the wall with heavy-duty staples.

• Noun (Fiber):

  • This cotton has a very long staple, which makes for stronger fabric.
  • The quality of wool depends on its staple length and fineness.

• Verb:

  • She stapled the receipt to the expense form.
  • Remember to staple the pages of your report together.

Advanced Usage

• Staple diet: The main or regular food that a person or group eats.
  • Fish and rice form the staple diet of the coastal population.
• Staple of conversation: A common or recurring topic when people talk.
  • The weather is a perennial staple of conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Stapler (n): A device used to drive staples into material.
  • I need to refill the stapler.
• Staple gun (n): A hand-held tool for driving heavy-duty staples.
  • He used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the frame.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Basic, essential, fundamental, primary, main, principal.
• Noun (Item): Essential, necessity, basic, commodity.
• Noun (Fastener): Clip, fastener.
• Verb: Fasten, attach, clip, pin.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Verb Phrases

• Staple something to something: To attach one thing to another using a staple.
  • Staple the application form to your CV.

Related Idioms

• (To be) a staple: To be a standard, essential, or always-present feature of something.
  • Action sequences are a staple of summer blockbuster movies.

Adjective

1. necessary or important, especially regarding food or commodities
   • wheat is a staple crop

Noun

1. paper fastener consisting of a short length of U-shaped wire that can fasten papers together
2. a short U-shaped wire nail for securing cables
3. material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing
4. a natural fiber (raw cotton, wool, hemp, flax) that can be twisted to form yarn
   • staple fibers vary widely in length
5. (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant

Verb

1. secure or fasten with a staple or staples
   • staple the papers together