staple staple /ˈsteɪpəl/

adjective

1. Necessary or important, especially regarding food or commodities  ( staple )
   necessary or important, especially regarding food or commodities
    Wheat is a staple crop
   wheat is a staple crop
   

noun

1. () (usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant  ( basic , staple )
   (usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
    Bread and rice are staples in many people's diets.
   Bread and rice are staples in many people's diets.
   
   
2. Paper fastener consisting of a short length of U-shaped wire that can fasten papers together  ( staple )
   paper fastener consisting of a short length of U-shaped wire that can fasten papers together
    Can you staple these papers together for me?
   Can you staple these papers together for me?
   
   
3. A short U-shaped wire nail for securing cables  ( staple )
   a short U-shaped wire nail for securing cables
    The electrician used a staple to secure the cable to the wall.
   The electrician used a staple to secure the cable to the wall.
   
   
4. Material suitable for manufacture, use or finishing  ( staple , raw material )
   material suitable for manufacture, use or finishing
   
5. A natural fiber (raw cotton, wool, hemp, flax) that can be twisted to form yarn  ( staple , staple fiber [American] , staple fibre [Canadian, British] )
   a natural fiber (raw cotton, wool, hemp, flax) that can be twisted to form yarn
    Staple fibers vary widely in length
   staple fibers vary widely in length
   

verb

1. Secure or fasten with a staple or staples  ( staple )
   secure or fasten with a staple or staples
    Staple the papers together
   staple the papers together