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Definition of staple adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

staple

adjective
 
/ˈsteɪpl/
 
/ˈsteɪpl/
[only before noun]
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  1. forming a basic, large or important part of something
    • The staple crop is rice.
    • Jeans are a staple part of everyone's wardrobe.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryStaple is used with these nouns:
    • crop
    • diet
    • fare
    • …
    See full entry
    Word Originadjective Middle English (originally referring to a centre of trade): from Old French estaple ‘market’, from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch stapel ‘pillar, emporium’; related to the verb staple.
See staple in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: staple

Nearby words

ripple effect
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Change, cause and effect
C2
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