needle

noun countable

UK /ˈniːd(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	needle
plural	needles

1
a very thin sharp metal tube used for putting medicine or drugs into your body, or for taking blood out. It is fixed to a plastic tube called a syringe
hypodermic needles
share a needle (=use the same needle as someone else to inject drugs):
People are at risk of disease when they share needles.
Synonyms and related words
Medical equipment
catheter
defibrillator
drain
2
a small thin metal tool that is used for sewing. It has a sharp point at one end and a hole at the other
a needle and thread
Synonyms and related words
Things used for sewing and needlework
bobbin
cotton
cotton reel
1. 2a
  a long thin piece of plastic or metal used for knitting
  Synonyms and related words
  Knitting and crochet
  cable stitch
  cast off
  cast on
3
a thin piece of metal used for acupuncture
Synonyms and related words
Medical equipment
catheter
defibrillator
drain
4
a small thin part on a scientific instrument that moves to show measurements
a compass needle
Synonyms and related words
Parts of pieces of electrical equipment
anode
cathode
circuit
5
a very small sharp part on a record player that touches the record and helps to produce the sound
a record needle
Synonyms and related words
Machines for playing sound or pictures
boom box
CD player
deck
6
a very thin sharp leaf that grows on some trees
pine needles
Synonyms and related words
Parts of plants
aerial root
anther
beanstalk
7
move the needle
to make a significant difference
To move the needle of economic growth, one needs roads, bridges and reliable energy supply.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 09/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017

needle

noun countable

US /ˈnid(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	needle
plural	needles

1
a very thin sharp metal tube used for putting medicine or drugs into your body, or for taking blood out. It is attached to a plastic tube called a syringe
hypodermic needles
share a needle (=use the same needle as someone else to inject drugs):
People are at risk of disease when they share needles.
Synonyms and related words
Medical equipment
balloon
catheter
defibrillator
2
a small thin metal tool that is used for sewing. It has a sharp point at one end and a hole at the other
a needle and thread
Synonyms and related words
Things used for sewing and needlework
bobbin
cotton
cotton reel
1. 2a
  a long thin piece of plastic or metal used for knitting
  Synonyms and related words
  Knitting and crochet
  cable stitch
  cast off
  cast on
3
a thin piece of metal used for acupuncture
Synonyms and related words
Medical equipment
balloon
catheter
defibrillator
4
a small thin part on a scientific instrument that moves to show measurements
a compass needle
Synonyms and related words
Parts of pieces of electrical equipment
anode
cathode
circuit
5
a very thin sharp leaf that grows on some trees
pine needles
Synonyms and related words
Parts of plants
aerial root
anther
beanstalk
6
a very small sharp part on a record player that touches the record and helps to produce the sound
a record needle
Synonyms and related words
Machines for playing sound or pictures
boom box
CD player
compact disc player
7
move the needle
to make a significant difference
To move the needle of economic growth, one needs roads, bridges and reliable energy supply.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 09/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017

needle

verb transitive informal

UK /ˈniːd(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	needle
he/she/it	needles
present participle	needling
past tense	needled
past participle	needled

1
to keep annoying someone by saying things that make them angry or embarrassed
He takes delight in needling his nearest rival.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone angry or annoyed
annoy
provoke
anger

needle

verb transitive informal

US /ˈnid(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	needle
he/she/it	needles
present participle	needling
past tense	needled
past participle	needled

1
to keep annoying someone by saying things that make them angry or embarrassed
He takes delight in needling his nearest rival.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone angry or annoyed
annoy
provoke
anger

needle ​‌‌

move the needle

needle ​‌‌

move the needle

needle

needle

needle

needle